AN INNOVATIVE scheme to increase community cohesion across Blackburn with Darwen is beginning to bear fruits, according to bosses.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader, Cllr Mohammed Khan, will update members on progress made as part of the Our Community, Our Future pilot scheme at a council forum meeting next week.

The borough was chosen as one of five pilot areas.

The Government is funding a three year programme in Blackburn with Darwen that aims to boost the borough’s economic prosperity and build stronger, more integrated communities.

Cllr Khan said: “Since the allocation of grant funding to 26 projects in September, we are starting to see a real impact across communities.

“A wide variety of organisations are leading activities to support our communities and bring them together – through arts, sport, wellbeing, and so much more.

“Over Christmas, we supported a number of organisations hosting events and activities to bring people together at a time of year that can be difficult for many.

“During January, Our Community, Our Future board members, partners and local transport providers will take part in a workshop to look in detail at the data and intelligence gathered so far as part of our Community Routes transport project.

“The aim is to work together to begin to come up with some innovative solutions to help people to better connect to places of work and leisure. In March a new website will be launched, with information about classes delivered by a range of ESOL providers in Blackburn with Darwen.

“Learning English Together aims to make it easier for learners to get assessed, then find a class at the right level, in a venue that suits them, and with shorter waiting times.”

National aims of the strategy announced in March 2018 include encouraging schools to teach ‘British values’, boosting English language skills and encouraging women from minorities into jobs.

The local version prioritises spreading prosperity across the borough’s communities; strengthening relationships between groups; building connections between young people from diverse communities; and giving people from disadvantaged areas better access to employment and public services and buildings.