Promoting community cohesion across Salford City College Group

During the 2024–25 and 2025-26 academic years, Salford City College Group had the privilege of hosting The Rabbi and The Imam across all five of its colleges. This initiative was developed in response to growing concerns around community cohesion and the impact of global political tensions on young people and families within our localities. The aim was to foster dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding among a diverse student population. 

The colleges within the group serve a broad demographic of learners, many of whom come from communities directly affected by international conflicts and cultural tensions. In recent years, staff have observed an increasing need to create safe spaces for discussion, challenge misconceptions, and promote values of respect and inclusion. Inviting faith leaders who model interfaith friendship and cooperation provided a unique and powerful approach to addressing these challenges.

The Rabbi and The Imam delivered a series of assemblies across all five colleges, engaging with hundreds of students. Their sessions were centred on personal storytelling, reflections from their respective faiths, and honest conversations about navigating identity, conflict, and friendship in a complex world.

Their delivery style was informal yet deeply impactful. Using humour, warmth, and authenticity, they connected with students from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who are often harder to engage. Without relying on presentations or visual aids, they held the attention of large audiences purely through the strength of their narratives and the sincerity of their message.

Key themes delivered:

• The importance of listening and dialogue
• Challenging stereotypes and prejudice
• Building friendships across differences
• Responding to conflict with compassion and understanding
• The role of young people in shaping cohesive communities
• Impact

Student response was overwhelmingly positive. The assemblies prompted thoughtful reflection and encouraged students to ask meaningful and sometimes challenging questions. Many learners reported that the sessions helped them reconsider preconceived ideas and feel more confident engaging in conversations about sensitive topics.

One particularly poignant moment highlighted the depth of impact: a Syrian student shared that, following the assembly, he finally felt able to speak openly about having an Israeli friend. This moment encapsulated the core success of the initiative - creating an environment where students feel safe to express complex identities and relationships without fear of judgement.

At one of the college group’s campuses, a Level 1 Media student presented with strongly held views relating to religion and global politics. During the assembly delivered by the Rabbi and the Imam, the student became increasingly agitated, particularly during the question-and-answer segment, where he challenged the speakers.  Following the session, the Head of Pastoral Support discussed the student with the Imam who expressed a willingness to meet with the student on a one-to-one basis.

A series of three meetings subsequently took place, each lasting an hour. These sessions provided a structured but open space for dialogue, enabling the student to explore his beliefs, perspectives, and frustrations in a constructive manner. Discussions focused on religion, identity, and broader worldviews, allowing for reflection and challenge within a supportive environment. This targeted intervention proved effective in supporting the student to articulate and manage his frustrations more positively.

Following these sessions, staff reported no further concerns, and the student demonstrated improved engagement and emotional regulation. This case highlights the value of early, relational intervention and the positive impact of providing safe, respectful spaces for dialogue.

Staff also noted increased openness in classroom discussions following the visits, as well as a noticeable shift in the tone of peer interactions. The visits from The Rabbi and The Imam contributed significantly to promoting community cohesion across the Salford City College Group. Their ability to connect with young people and deliver a message of peace, companionship, and understanding was both powerful and inspiring.

Jennifer Stead, Assistant Principal Safeguarding and Pastoral