•         Despite toxic political climate people in the city say they know and trust their neighbours

We’re living in divisive times – but people living in the North West say their sense of community spirit is alive and well and helping rebuild fractured neighbourhoods. The city features in a new Community Spirit Index, with half of people saying they know and trust their neighbours.

The report, released to launch Community Business Weekend (16-19 May), highlights cities where neighbourhood working is strongest and reveals that despite a polarised political landscape, at a local level the majority of us know and trust the people in our community.

In the North West, community run-events and businesses are driving positive change and providing vital support.  Four out of ten (43%) of respondents said working with others on local events is an important way to bring people together, while another 43% recognise events in the city that have helped to create a sense of unity.  

A further 43% think their community is good at pulling together in times of need.

And that sense of community spirit is growing. According to the Index, 39% of people want to learn more about how to help their community, one in three (29% ) want to become involved in a community business and 59% are keen to support community business owners and leaders.

A well as volunteering, consumers are using positive spending to support their neighbourhoods. With the Community Spirit Index revealing that 43% of people prefer to shop in a business whose profits are invested in the community if they can.

In Manchester, community businesses include FC United, the football club challenging the stereotype of top -flight football. FC United provides a community-hub for residents in Moston and the Greater Manchester area.  

Alongside the National League North match fixtures, the club runs or provides regular classes and training programmes for health and wellbeing and runs a successful disability team.  They also host classes and events for a number of different age groups across North East Manchester and have ran regular campaigns for the homeless and to promote fitness and wellbeing.

Next week Power to Change launches its annual Community Business Weekend (16 to 19 May inclusive). The annual open doors event will see community businesses across England showcasing their work and inviting people to take a closer look at what they do and how they might get involved.

To mark this year’s community business weekend, FC United are hosting a Soul Against Racism all day music event on Saturday 18th May. Tickets are just £5 on the door and guests can enjoy listening to the sounds of a range of soul DJs from across the country. All profits from the event will be reinvested into the club for the benefit of the local community. 

Speaking about the Community Spirit Index and the Community Business Weekend, Power to Change Chief Executive, Vidhya Alakeson says:

“At this time of huge uncertainty it’s fantastic to hear that community spirit is still alive and well. People are more determined than ever to pull together for the common good.  We know from our work on the ground how important that connection is for a successful community business, and how much those businesses improve the lives of communities.  

“Community Business Weekend is a great opportunity for people to reconnect with their local community and to learn more about the amazing work of the 8,000 community businesses across the country that are working to transform their local area.” 

Find out what’s happening all over the country for Community Business Weekend 16-19 May on www.communitybusinessweekend.org