Havering Council has staged its first ever Cohesion Summit, bringing together faith leaders, community groups, police, politicians and residents for a packed afternoon at the Town Hall focused on keeping the borough united.
The Council Chamber was filled as speakers addressed a shared question: how does Havering remain safe, calm and cohesive in an increasingly polarised world?
The message was clear – cohesion doesn’t happen by accident. It takes effort, honesty and, at times, uncomfortable conversations.
Shelley Hart, from Havering Volunteering Centre, highlighted the power of grassroots action, arguing that volunteering not only strengthens neighbourhood pride but builds the everyday connections that prevent division from taking root.
Sidra Naeem, representing the Havering Inter Faith Forum, spoke about the Forum’s work bringing together different faith communities to foster understanding and mutual support. That theme was echoed by Manzurul Islam, a faith leader and member of the Council’s Faith Forum, who addressed the impact of unconscious bias and its quiet but corrosive effect on community harmony.
Policing and youth engagement were also firmly on the agenda. Acting Chief Inspector Charlie Routley outlined the “Clear, Hold, Build” initiative currently under way in Harold Hill, while Palmela Witter from the Council’s youth team presented the views of young residents on how their voices can be better heard – and better acted upon.
If the formal discussions focused on tackling division, the refreshments told another story. Delegates shared home-made dishes from across cultures and faiths – a reminder that cohesion is often built as much over food and conversation as through policy and strategy.
Council Leader Councillor Ray Morgon, who chaired the summit, said the event had laid important groundwork.
“It was a pleasure to chair our first Cohesion Summit and to see so many different parts of our community represented,” he said.
“There are real concerns about events happening globally and nationally that can create division. What was encouraging today was the shared commitment not to let those negative forces define Havering.
“We heard countless examples of communities of all faiths and backgrounds coming together to support one another. That gives us a strong foundation to build on. Our focus now is to ensure Havering remains a safe, respectful and cohesive borough for everyone.”
The Council has indicated this will not be a one-off event, but the start of an ongoing conversation about what unity looks like in a modern, diverse Havering.
