Social Inclusion Service
The purpose of the Social Inclusion Service is to try and work to minimise the effects of social exclusion. The Government’s Social Exclusion Task Force defines social exclusion as:
“Social exclusion is about more than income poverty. It is a short-hand term for what can happen when people or areas have a combination of linked problems, such as unemployment, discrimination, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime and family breakdown. These problems are linked and mutually reinforcing. Social exclusion is an extreme consequence of what happens when people don't get a fair deal throughout their lives, often because of disadvantage they face at birth, and this disadvantage can be transmitted from one generation to the next.”
Social exclusion has always been with societies throughout the ages, so it would be naïve to pretend or to think that the creation of a Social Inclusion Service will mean and end to it. However, by coming together as a Service ‘Social Inclusion’ is no longer a theme, but a practical and real set of resources to engage with the many issues that cause social exclusion, with a common value base around fairness and opportunity and choice.
This Information Page is just one way we can start to do the work of promoting our Service and to start to address the big issues around health inequalities and healthier lifestyles, safer communities and community engagement and participation. It will also be a place where we can highlight the benefits of work and inclusive employment practices, and where we can reflect upon the needs and challenges that the work we are doing with Gypsy and Traveller communities within the County.
Over the coming months we will look to develop this resource, but we can only do so if you use it and add to it. Feedback will be appreciated, as will any ideas to improve the content or its purpose. Please contact Scott McInally if you have any comments.
Gerald Tompkins
Head of Social Inclusion
To view Gerald's presentation please click on the PDF link below. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.
Social Inclusion - Building Bridges Breaking Down Barriers.pdf (16 pages, 305kb)
To visit pages involved within social inclusion please click on the links below:
Community Development Team
Community Safety
Travellers Liaison Service
WorkAble Solutions
To visit pages that you may find useful please click on the links below:
North East Churches
CDX
Chester-le-Street Voluntary Service
Age Concern - Durham
East Durham Local Strategic Partnership
