Near Neighbours in Nottingham 2022

Unity in Diversity

Near Neighbours brings people together in communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse, so that they can get to know each other better, build relationships of trust, and collaborate together on initiatives that improve the local community they live in.

Near Neighbours operates to two principle aims: social interaction and social action.

Social interaction is to develop positive relationships in multi-faith areas and help people from different faiths get to know and understand each other better.

Social action looks to encourage people of different faiths and of no faith to come together for initiatives that improve their local neighbourhood.

Grant Awards

Near Neighbours facilitates the application process and awarding of Government grants for start up projects that seek to bring community cohesion. We have been able to award 159 small grants between 2016-2022 to 101 projects in Nottingham, totalling £548,107.49. This money has gone towards developing a wide of projects and programmes, supporting community groups, women’s groups, activities for young people, people with mental health conditions, groups of Muslims, groups providing food, refugees and asylum seekers, African groups – and more. Through bringing people and projects together, we have helped to play our part in making Nottingham a hospitable place to live.

Some of the organisations supported with small grants in 2021 were:

A Star Sports Development running fitness and football activities each Sunday for young people

Bambuuu CIC supporting women girls affected by domestic abuse

Belong Nottingham supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham

Communities Inc. tackling racism and building capacity in under-served communities

Diversity Watch Ltd. promoting diversity and equality, and addressing misinformation around COVID

Epic Partners equipping and training young people in St Anns in sports qualifications

Open Minds supporting adults with learning disabilities through wellbeing activities

Senior Support Group running activities for older people from the refugee, asylum seeking and vulnerable migrant community

Sisters of Noor providing support and advice to single mothers and children

Together Today helping European Citizens (especially Roma) living in Nottingham to integrate into the community

Cessation of Funding

In 2022, we are unfortunately taking a pause while new funding can be secured, but we hope to be back soon, walking alongside local projects and people, offering support where we can, encouraging collaboration and seeing our cities become increasingly unified and welcoming.

We celebrate the work that has been done over the last few years to develop positive relationships and unite people from diverse backgrounds. See our Celebration Report for a fuller picture. A huge thank you to Lindsay, Beth, Farah and Golesedi who have been the hands and feet of this work in Notts over the last few years.

Until the Nottingham hub is back up and running, please visit the Near Neighbours website and find out what is happening nationally.