Part of our role within the Centre for Seldom Heard Voices is to use our platform to amplify seldom heard voices. In collaboration with the 蜜桃AV PIER (Public Involvement in Education and Research) partnership, we engage with many community groups, organisations, activists and campaigners who are conducting some wonderful work to promote inclusion and advance social justice across our region and further afield.
To amplify these voices we are introducing a spotlight series on our webpages and are introducing a new webinar series entitled: Community Voices. The inaugural webinar will introduce the South Dorset Research group whose aim is to draw attention to and find solutions to economic and social inequalities in West Dorset.
If you have an idea for a future community voices webinar or spotlight, please contact Mel Hughes: [email protected]
Forgotten Towns: Weymouth, Portland and the coastal economy
Wednesday 20th聽July 1-2pm, online via Zoom
Why have communities in South Dorset been ignored for decades? What accounts for the area鈥檚 status at the bottom of national indices for social mobility? Why do people in Weymouth & Portland feel 鈥渋nvisibilised鈥� and silenced?
With a population of 80,000, Weymouth & Portland is the largest urban area in the Dorset Council area. Following abrupt collapse of local industry and three decades of continuous economic decline, its young people face a 鈥渃ul-de-sac鈥� effect of shrinking job opportunities and compelling pressures to leave Dorset. A report from聽South Dorset Research Group聽is the first focused attempt to address these issues. The webinar presents its findings and opens discussion on the 鈥渃oastal economy鈥� and its implications 鈥� especially for women and young people.
Speakers:聽Philip Marfleet聽and聽Jenny Lennon-Wood.
Philip Marfleet is Emeritus Professor of Social Science at the University of East London; Jenny Lennon-Wood is Secretary of Dorset Trades Union Council.
For further information or to book your place email [email protected]
