Social Inclusion and Neighbourhood Renewal

The term social inclusion is closely linked to the concept of social exclusion, defined by a government Social Exclusion Unit report as:

"about more than income poverty. It is a shorthand term for what can happen when people or areas face a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, discrimination, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime, bad health and family breakdown. These problems are linked and mutually reinforcing so that they can create a vicious cycle in people's lives."

The same report goes on to say that "the risk factors for social exclusion tend to cluster in certain neighbourhoods, but not everybody at risk lives in a deprived area". Neighbourhood renewal initiatives recognise the tendency of exclusion to cluster in neighbourhoods, and are programme-driven strategies to narrow the gap between deprived and other neighbourhoods.

Social Inclusion and Museums, Libraries and Archvies

MLA's social inclusion activity is broadly formed by the 2001 DCMS policy document Libraries, Museums, Galleries and Archives for All: Co-operating across the sectors to tackle social exclusion (PDF 64KB) . It identifies four main ways in which museums, archives and libraries can become more active and successful in addressing social exclusion:

• Organisational change
• Co-operation between libraries, museums, galleries and archives
• Outreach
• Partnerships

Ways that museums, archives and libraries can impact on social inclusion may include:

• Personal growth and development
• Community empowerment
• The representation of inclusive communities
• Promoting healthier communities
• Enhancing educational achievement and promoting lifelong learning
• Tackling unemployment
• Tackling crime