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It’s just not true! One in five people say their community is depicted unfairly by the rest of the UK

Around one in five people in the north of England feel their community is depicted unfairly by the rest of the country, according to research published today. 

The research, from the charity Engage Britain, comes just days after a UK government minister, Heather Wheeler, was forced to apologise for referring to the Blackpool and Birmingham as “godawful.”  She made the comment during a launch of the government’s new digital strategy earlier this month.  (June) 

But now there’s evidence that some grassroots groups are standing up to defend their community’s reputation.  In Blackpool a group of volunteers is using citizen journalism to reveal what they say is the seaside resort’s untold community story.   * 

“The Curious Notebook” is set up by Kane Dodgson, an artist, writer, therapist and storyteller.   

Kane says: “It’s true that Blackpool has some deep seated social problems, but there’s so much more to it than that. Communities, like people, can become depressed and anxious and when the media is only ever focusing on the bad things, that image is constantly reinforced. It feels like the only time we are ever talked about it’s cynical, laughing and degrading. Of course the residents themselves can be critical too – but the difference is it’s their town. 

People in the North East and in Yorkshire and Humberside feel the strongest  that their town is portrayed in a negative way.  In a recent survey of the UK, 19% of those in these areas said they felt their regions were represented unfairly elsewhere in the UK.  Wales followed with 17% of those questioned, followed closely by the North West at 16%.    

However, just over 1 in 3 (41%) across the UK say they feel pride in their local community, with residents in Northern Ireland (48%), Yorkshire & Humber (46%) and London (46%) feeling most proud.   

The government says levelling up areas outside London is one of the cornerstones of its policy platform. 

Scottish adults seem the most secure in their communities’ portrayal across the UK with a quarter saying public perception was fair (25%), and less than  one in ten claiming it to be unfair (8%).  Scotland is followed by London where nearly a third (31%) in the capital think the city’s image is correct and 13% arguing the opposite.  

*“The Curious Notebook” is holding an event on 21st June, as part of the Reconnection Tour, organised by Engage Britain and grassroots groups across the UK. Through an ongoing series of story telling sessions the volunteers will aim to narrate Blackpool’s untold positive community tales to start painting the town in new light.    

“The Curious Notebook” is set up by Kane Dodgson, an artist, writer, therapist and storyteller.   

Kane says: “It’s true that Blackpool has some deep seated social problems, but there’s so much more to it than that. Communities, like people, can become depressed and anxious and when the media is only ever focusing on the bad things, that image is constantly reinforced. It feels like the only time we are ever talked about it’s cynical, laughing and degrading. Of course the residents themselves can be critical too – but the difference is it’s their town. 

Engage Britain’s Reconnection Tour Manager, Tony McKenzie, says: “All too often our communities aren’t recognised for the incredible work they do in holding the fabric of the UK together – and many feel they’re even done down by people outside their areas. Throughout the hard times of the last two years, our communities have been innovating and adapting in ways that genuinely change people’s lives – everything from building long lasting bonds and community spirit, to feeding the hungry or raising money for Ukranian refugees. 

“We want these incredible stories from The Reconnection Tour to show that local communities, not just the government, have the power to transform lives. And that real change in this country can and should happen from the grassroots up.” 

Notes to Editors

Case studies and spokespeople available on request.

Media contact: Freya Barnes, Head of Media (0203 953 6329)

Methodology: Research conducted by Opinium 6th – 9th May 2022.  Sample was 2,000 UK adults, weighted to be nationally representative. 

About the Reconnection Tour: The Reconnection Tour is a partnership between Engage Britain and grassroots groups across the UK, shining a spotlght on the insprational and innovative ways our communities have supported each other during the tough times we‘re facing – from covid to the cost of living crisis. In June and July, 15 events in communities across the UK showcase these incredible stories reconnection to show that communities, not just the government, have the power to change lives. 

About Engage Britain: Engage Britain is fully independent charity, giving people a say on what matters most to Britain. We’re finding answers to the country’s biggest problems by grounding them in people’s everyday lives. We’re bringing together people with different views, ideas and experiences across Britain and helping them not just to debate but create the plans for change they want to see. Then we’re working with them to make those changes happen. We’re pulling people and those in power closer. And proving the public’s practical, realistic solutions can help make the country work for us all. Be part of Britain’s big decisions at engagebritain.org   

ENDS