Yorkshire kicks off national conversation about what unites and divides people

The project, called Talk/together, has already heard from nearly 60,000 people through an online survey and now it is looking to spark more in-depth dialogues in the region – as well as with local government, charities, faith groups and others – to find out what divisions people are most concerned about and how to resolve them.

The Rt Rev Nick Baines, the Bishop of Leeds and the chairman of trustees for the project, said: “Our communities are strong in Yorkshire, but there are obvious tensions too – over how we respond to Covid, over politics and Brexit, and by age, wealth and place.

“If we’re to live together well, we need to find ways to stop our differences turning into divisions.

“Talk/together wants to understand the issues that people here in Yorkshire are worried about, but also to find out what we’re doing well.

“We want to hear people’s ideas about what we can do now, so our society can be closer and more connected in the future.”

The first online discussion, with a representative group of people recruited from Leeds, takes place today, while conversations with citizens from Huddersfield, Hull, Rotherham and Scarborough will follow, as well as an online meeting of stakeholders working to promote social connection next Monday.

Findings from the project, which is supported by The Yorkshire Post and its sister publication the Yorkshire Evening Post, will be published in early 2021.

Partnerships with foodbanks in Batley and Cleckheaton will distribute Talk/together surveys to those using the services to help the project hear from “more marginalised voices whose views are often overlooked”.

Wendy Russell, a trustee of Batley Food Bank, said: “We’re helping dozens of families, single people and couples every week to keep their heads above water.

“Their voices are often the ones that don’t get heard, but as the recession bites they will likely be hit the hardest. The Talk/together project aims to make sure everyone gets a say.”

On Thursday, a panel chaired by BBC Radio Leeds presenter Liz Green is scheduled to host the discussion Will Covid cause division in Yorkshire or can we get through this together?.

It will feature former Huddersfield Town FC chairman Dean Hoyle, Kim Leadbeater, the chairwoman of More in Common Batley and Spen and sister of the late Jo Cox MP, Humayun Islam, the chairman of Bradford City supporters’ group the Bangla Bantams, and Leeds Imam Qari Asim.

The online webinar starts at 6pm and is free to view live on YouTube.

More in Common Batley and Spen is also hosting an online conversation on Wednesday.

Ms Leadbeater said: “Covid strengthened community spirit at first but it has also made it harder to meet and mix with others. For some, it’s meant near-total isolation. And the longer-term economic impacts are only just starting to be felt.

"Talk/together is a great way to find out how people feel about divisions in our society and what we can all do to help tackle them.”

Local organisations can host their own events, with a toolkit and small grants to cover expenses available from Talk/together.

People can also share their views at www.together.org.uk.