The 2021 Community Integration Awards wants to recognise the inspirational ways in which migrant, refugee and more ‘settled’ communities are coming together to support each other during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Across the UK, ordinary communities are coming together to advance integration, often with little or no resources. New links are being forged to help address isolation, inequality and ongoing need as people struggle to cope amidst the loss of loved ones, the absence of family and friends and the worst economic downturn in decades.

This amazing work isn’t simply a ‘bright spot’ in uncertain times; it is building resilience in communities that will face ongoing crisis as the fallout from the pandemic continues.

We want to recognise these incredible efforts but also join an important national conversation about how we can value, support and sustain such efforts given the challenges ahead.

Whatever our ‘new normal’ looks like, this issue needs to be at the heart of it.