Neighbourhood Working to Reduce Isolation and Build Community
Diversify Education is a community led organisation based at Beechdale Community Centre, working across Nottingham to address social isolation and improve residents’ wellbeing. Established in 2017 by Shanine Fasasi, the organisation grew from lived experience and a commitment to community first, neighbourhood based action.
Neighbourhood Approach to Reducing Isolation
Reducing loneliness is central to Diversify Education’s model. All activities are co designed with residents and delivered in familiar, trusted spaces, helping people feel safe and able to reconnect with others. This place based approach is particularly important for those who may be reluctant or anxious about leaving their homes, including older adults and individuals experiencing long term isolation.
They say it’s not for the food but for that community cohesion they enjoy
Freddie, Diversify Education
Activities That Promote Connection
Diversify Education offers a wide range of programmes designed to bring people together:
- Daily coffee mornings that provide consistent opportunities for informal social contact.
- Tea and Tales evening sessions, encouraging conversation and shared experiences.
- Daily food bank provision and operation as a warm hub, combining practical support with meaningful social interaction.
- A weekly Community Meal, with 55–60 regular attendees, valued for the sense of connection and belonging it creates.
- Community trips and wellbeing activities, which help individuals build confidence, enjoy shared experiences and form new friendships.
Together, these initiatives play a significant role in reducing social isolation and strengthening community cohesion.
Supporting Diverse Community Groups
The organisation works with a broad range of residents, including families, older adults and young men. Programmes such as Dads and Lads, Friday Friendly Football and the Faith Housing Project (providing supported accommodation for men aged 18+) offer safe, supportive opportunities for participants to develop relationships and reduce feelings of isolation.
Challenges and Collaboration
Growing and increasingly complex needs continue to stretch the organisation’s capacity. Digital exclusion is a particular concern, as rapid digitalisation risks deepening isolation for residents without skills or access.
To help meet these challenges, Diversify Education collaborates with partners including Public Health, Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service (NCVS) and local universities. These partnerships support shared learning, service development and projects such as improving residents’ digital confidence – an important step in preventing further social disconnection.
Read more about the work of Diversify Education here
