Jo Cox’s sense of belonging and her identity were firmly rooted in Yorkshire. In 2015, Jo was elected as MP for Batley and Spen, allowing her to represent her home region in the UK Parliament.
The Jo Cox Foundation is based in West Yorkshire and our Stronger Communities work starts here.
I am Batley and Spen born and bred, and I could not be prouder of that. I am proud that I was made in Yorkshire and I am proud of the things we make in Yorkshire. Britain should be proud of that, too.”
Jo Cox, Maiden Speech 2015
Current projects
We support communities across West Yorkshire to participate in The Jo Cox Foundation’s national programmes – the Great Get Together and the More in Common Network – and we also deliver specific local projects with and for communities in the region.
Bridging and Belonging
We have now completed the first stage of Bridging and Belonging, which ran for 18 months between May 2024 – December 2025 (funded by the National Lottery Community Fund).
This included a series of listening events in Batley, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike, led by a Community Group made up of people closely connected to the three towns. Themes of community, place and belonging were explored. The result of this collaboration is a shared vision for the future of the area; a roadmap created by the community, for the community. This vision will be published here soon.
The second stage of Bridging and Belonging is now underway. At the centre of the work will be twenty community-led social action projects and a structured locally-grounded process for bringing people together across difference.
If you’re connected to Batley, Dewsbury or Heckmondwike and would like to know more and potentially get involved, please contact us – we would love to hear from you!
Contact us at [email protected]
Past projects
Research project: Living in Batley and Heckmondwike
In 2023/4, we worked on a research project in partnership with the University of Huddersfield and Kirklees Council to deepen understanding of community members’ experiences of ‘place’, cohesion, togetherness, belonging, and loneliness in Batley and Heckmondwike.
Putting a spotlight on community projects
In 2023, we shone a spotlight on some brilliant local groups that are making a difference to communities throughout Kirklees. From combating social isolation to providing welcoming spaces, we talked to six volunteer groups who embody the ‘More in Common’ spirit.
Exploring belonging in Batley and Spen
In 2022, we piloted a project that placed local people at its heart and encouraged participants to explore what it means to belong locally. We brought local people together to explore the theme and after eight weeks the group designed and delivered a Great Get Together event for their local community.
Personally I still feel a little shocked at how I felt in those planning meetings, so engaged and driven. So much of that healing and recovery, the reconnection with skills and experience I thought I no longer had being down to the encouragement, engagement and positive endorsement I got from those six or seven weeks being on that planning group. All the team I feel I owe so much to. Tearful reflections really, considering the wealth of healing I took from the experience.
— Martyn, who participated in the Belonging in Batley and Spen Project.
Latest news
Opportunity to join us in shaping a vision for Batley, Dewsbury, and Heckmondwike
July 31, 2024
Blog: Supporting community research on living in Batley and Heckmondwike
January 30, 2024
Great Get Together events united migrants and local residents across Yorkshire communities this September
October 11, 2023