The central idea of an Inclusive City, according to the work of Professor David Best (Leeds Trinity Uni) and Dr Charlotte Colman (Sheffield Hallam) is that no one should walk the recovery path alone. In an Inclusive City, the city council, private and public organisations, housing facilities, welfare and health centres, employers, and neighbours commit to working together with people in recovery to support them in their recovery process. By focusing on social connection an Inclusive City aims to challenge exclusion, and by doing so reduce stigmatisation.
Examples of initiatives that fit within the idea of inclusive cities are vast in number. These examples could be small steps involving limited budget or more structural steps such as establishing a social enterprise model.
What is already happening?
There is a National Roundtable Group of several cities, including Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, York, Derby, Portsmouth, Middlesborough and Blackpool. Membership of the group consists of LEROS, service providers and city council representation and anyone who is interested/ invested in the concept for their area.
An early adopter of the initiative is Middlesborough, which has worked closely with David Best and the main LERO in Middlesborough on the process, resulting in them publicly declaring themselves an IRC in May 2023.
So – what is involved?
There are a few steps or stages involved in becoming an IRC, leading to some distinct Characteristics of an IRC:
- An active IRC council, representing a range of stakeholders, ideally led by people with Lived Experience
- Co-produced Activity Plan and agreed outputs/ impact for the city, bespoke to the location (based upon identified growth areas that would help to create an even more thriving and inclusive recovery community across Nottingham; this will likely include a programme of associated activities/ events
- Understanding of the Building Inclusive Recovery Cities Charter which has been produced by David Best and several others already engaged with the process.
- Evidence of implementation of the Activity plan
- Buy in and sign off of the plan and charter by a civic dignitary of the city (e.g. Lord Mayor/ Sheriff)
- Ongoing Contribution of local learning to the national/ international IRC group
Download the intro pack about the movement here
Request to be added to the IRC newsletter here