Since our founding, FURD has worked to bring people together. The principle of unity - across race, faith, nationality, and background - has always been at the heart of our mission.
Thirty years ago, this work was called community building. Today, we call it community cohesion. But the goal remains the same: to strengthen the bonds between people, improve well-being and safety, and ensure that everyone feels they belong.
Over the past three decades, we’ve led initiatives across South Yorkshire and beyond, supporting local communities and contributing to national conversations. We’ve partnered with organisations across the country to share knowledge and practical support on how to build stronger, more inclusive communities.
This work has never felt more urgent. Rising tensions, such as the attack on an asylum seeker hotel in Rotherham in 2024, are a stark reminder that cohesion must be protected and nurtured. The summer of 2025 has seen further national incidents that continue to test the fabric of our society.
In response, FURD organised a national conference in Sheffield in December 2024, bringing together community leaders, policymakers, and activists to discuss how we move forward. The event reflected our vision: a more equal society, working together in solidarity, where no one is left behind.
Community cohesion isn’t just a policy issue - it’s the lived experience of people supporting one another every day. FURD will continue to stand for unity and equality in South Yorkshire and well beyond.
In addition, FURD has produced guidance on dealing with tensions - see below for link. We have also published our methodology on how we work on issues related to community cohesion.
You can:
Watch the film we made about cohesion for the conference:
Listen to our Co-CEO Mehrun Ahmed speak to the BBC [link] about why this work matters
Ahead of the conference, we published a Community Cohesion Position Paper, outlining FURD’s approach to this critical issue.
In June 2025, we took our message to Parliament, hosting an open event at the House of Commons with the support of Abtisam Mohamed MP (Sheffield Central). The event was an opportunity to connect with MPs, supporters, and partners working on the frontlines of social cohesion. You can read our briefing note for MPs here.
If you are dealing with challenging issues or growing tension in your community, read our Guidance and Checklist on dealing with tensions:
Dealing with rising tensions - guidance and checklist
https://furd.org/content/dealing-with-rising-tensions-guidance-and-checklist
Also read our methodology – how we work on cohesion and what we hope to achieve:
FURD's approach to building community and cohesion
https://furd.org/content/furds-approach-to-building-community-and-cohesion
