Community Cohesion Competitions

Safer Communities Torbay is inviting all Torbay Primary and Secondary Schools to take part in a Torbay-wide Community Cohesion Media Project.  

Along with The Safer Devon Partnership, they are also inviting students aged between 16 and 25 studying at a 6th Form, College of Further Education or the University of Exeter and any young person between the ages of 16 and 25 who is a member of a Youth Group to enter a Torbay and Devon-wide Community Cohesion Film Project.

These projects will provide opportunities and tools for teachers/students and group leaders to explore issues around prejudice, extremism and active citizenship, and to help them to develop their Community Cohesion strategies.

We do not think Devon and Torbay are intolerant and unwelcoming, rife with prejudice and racism and are confident that the majority of people who live in or visit the county find it a welcoming area with a strong sense of community.  However, we are also aware that not everybody shares those positive experiences, that there are some people who regularly experience intolerance and prejudice, who feel isolated and marginalised and find it difficult to join in or to benefit from all the great things that Devon and Torbay have to offer.

We understand how much damage prejudice can do, and we will oppose prejudice of any sort. We want to promote Torbay as an area that is committed to fighting prejudice and has a strong community which is open to everyone.

The intention of these projects is to draw on the expertise, experience and energy of our schools and colleges; to put the young people of Torbay at the forefront of our drive for an inclusive Torbay. Our schools and colleges, after all, are focal points for community cohesion – bringing together children and families from all sorts of different backgrounds to live, learn and work together.

These projects are open from Monday 1 February 2010 and will run until Friday 28 May 2010 (final closing date for all entries).  The judging panels will then meet and the winners wil be announced week commecing 28 June 2010, with an award celebration to follow. Winning entries from the competition will be used as part of a Torbay and county-wide anti-prejudice/extremism media campaign.

Categories, criteria, downloads and prizes are detailed on the Media Project and Film Project pages.

For more information email scatt@torbay.gov.uk or contact Mandy Riley on (01803) 841265.