Hello, I'm Mrs. Barry, and I'm going to be your citizenship teacher.

Today, we've got a really interesting lesson about communities to look at together.

This might be new to you, but that's okay because I'm here to work through it with you.

And by the end of the lesson, we will have achieved our outcome.

So when you're ready, let's make a start.

Today's lesson comes from the unit "How are community identities changing?" This lesson is called "What makes us feel like we belong?" Our outcome for today is to explain how shared values, identity, and legal protections help people feel they belong in a diverse community.

Let's get started.

In today's lesson, there's a range of ground rules that we need to bear in mind.

Laura reminds us to listen to others.

She says, "It's okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, challenge the statement, not the person." Andeep reminds us to respect privacy.

"We can discuss examples, but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves." Jacob reminds us not to judge.

He says, "We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged." And Izzy says, "Choose level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join discussion.

We never put anyone on the spot." During today's lesson, there's some keywords that we'll be using.

Firstly, belonging, the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group.

Community, which is a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.

And identity, who a person is or the qualities of a person or group that make them different from others.

Today's lesson has three parts.

What is belonging? How does personal identity link to belonging? And how can communities work together better? So we're gonna make a start with the first part that asks, what is belonging? Belonging refers to the sense of being part of a community, society, or nation.

It involves feeling accepted, valued, and included in social, cultural, and political life.

Belonging can happen at home, school, in communities, and in wider society.

What specific examples can you think of where you might have a sense of belonging? You might have picked up on the picture on the screen.

And so sports is one area where you might have a sense of belonging if you belong to a sports club, for example.

Belonging plays an important role in making society work well.

When people feel like they belong, it helps to create: stronger communities where people support each other and work together; a more respectful and tolerant society that values diversity and different identities; greater cooperation, encouraging people to follow laws and respect others' rights; active citizenship, where people feel motivated to take part in democracy such as voting, joining local groups, or debating issues; and shared identity and power, helping people understand their role in society and feel empowered to influence decisions.

For an individual, belonging can improve mental health and self-esteem by helping them to feel accepted and valued for who they are; help them feel motivated to take part in civic activities like volunteering and advocating for change; build confidence to express opinions and participate in decision-making; help them develop a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to their community; and help them feel safer and more secure, which supports happiness and personal growth.

Let's see how many of the key terms that we've talked about so far you can remember.

So we've got three here.

A.

Belonging.

B.

Community.

And C.

Active citizenship.

And what I'd like you to do is match the word with its correct description.

So the descriptions here are: one, being motivated to and getting involved in democracy; two, feeling accepted and part of a group or community; and three, a group of people living in the same place.

Okay, so belonging is feeling accepted and part of a group or community.

Community is a group of people living in the same place.

And active citizenship is being motivated to and getting involved in democracy.

Well done if you got those all right.

Here we've got Lucille to tell us about belonging.

She says, "Belonging means feeling like I fit in and people accept me.

It's when I can be myself and others are okay with that.

At school, it was when my friends included me so I didn't feel left out.

It's when I can talk without being scared people will laugh at me.

Belonging helps me feel happier and more confident.

For example, feeling connected in my community inspired me to help start a storytelling evening at the local library, where people of all ages could share poems, music and memories.

It brought people together and helped others feel like they belong too." From our understanding of belonging, can you answer this question? Which of these do not show a sense of belonging? A.

Feeling accepted by friends and included in activities.

B.

Being able to be yourself without fear of being laughed at.

Or C.

Feeling left out and scared to speak.

Well done if you recognise that C, feeling left out and scared to speak, did not show a sense of belonging.

Let's practise what we've learned about belonging.

I'd like you to discuss the following questions with a partner.

Firstly, what does belonging mean, and why is it important for both individuals and society? Secondly, how can a strong sense of belonging help people participate more actively in their communities? And lastly, what is one example of how feeling like you belong could encourage someone to get involved in a community activity? Do that now and then once you've done that, you can come back and we can have a think about what you might have discussed.

Well done for giving that a go.

I wonder how your discussions compare to Jun and Sam's.

So firstly, I asked you to discuss what does belonging mean and why is it important for both individuals and society? Sam says, "Belonging means feeling like you fit in and people accept you for who you are.

It is important because it helps people feel safe and happy." Jun says, "For society, belonging makes communities stronger and helps people respect and cooperate with each other." So perhaps your discussion sounded something like that.

Secondly, I ask you to think about how can a strong sense of belonging help people participate more actively in their communities? So your discussion with your partner might have sounded something like this.

Sam says, "When people feel like they belong, they are more confident to join in with their community.

For example, they want to volunteer or take part in local events because they feel like they matter." Jun agrees, he says, "Yes, and if you feel accepted in a group, you're more likely to speak up during things like school council or debates.

It makes you want to help out and make a difference." Again, well done if your conversation sounded something like that.

And then lastly, I asked you to discuss, what is one example of how feeling like you belong could encourage someone to get involved in a community activity? Sam says, "If someone feels like they belong in their local community, they might be more likely to get involved in things like voting or local elections or joining community debates." Jun says, and again, he agrees, he says, "Yes, when you feel accepted and part of the community, you're more motivated to take part in decisions that affect where you live and help make things better for everyone." Well done for giving that activity a really good go.

The second part of our lesson asks, how does personal identity link to belonging? Personal identity is who you are as an individual.

It can include a range of things, including beliefs and values, culture and traditions, religion or faith, ethnicity and nationality, gender, sexuality, and age, language, personal interests, and experiences.

Being able to feel proud of your identity helps build a strong sense of belonging as you feel you can be yourself in the community of which you are part.

Hugo here explains his ideas on personal identity and belonging.

He says, "I had to leave my country because it was not safe.

Now I live in a new country as an asylum seeker.

When I arrived, I spoke a different language.

People didn't understand me, and I felt alone.

I thought I had to be like everyone else to fit in, but I learned that my story and my culture are important.

They are part of my identity.

Sharing my identity with others helped me to feel like I belong." So let's just check we've understood personal identity.

Here, Sam says, "Personal identity is what makes you you.

It includes your beliefs, culture, background, and personal experiences.

Understanding your identity helps you feel comfortable being yourself in your community." And Jun says, "Personal identity is about trying to fit in by copying other people's beliefs, interests, and behaviours so you feel accepted.

It's mostly shaped by the people around you." Whose description is most accurate? So Sam is correct here.

Identity comes from your own beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences.

It's not about copying others.

Everyone has a unique identity, and respecting differences helps people feel included.

For example, someone who practises a different religion may feel more belonging in the UK when their beliefs are understood and respected by others.

Plurality refers to recognising and valuing the diversity of identities within a community or society.

It involves creating inclusive environments through policies and practises that respect different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences, helping everyone feel a sense of belonging.

For example, a school that recognises different religious holidays and celebrates cultural diversity helps all pupils feel included.

If someone is discriminated against because of their identity, for example, racism or homophobia, they may feel excluded or rejected by society.

In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics, helping ensure everyone can feel a sense of belonging in society.

These are the nine protected characteristics from the Equality Act 2010.

If we look at the top middle, we start with race and ethnicity.

Going clockwise, we can see disability, religion or belief, age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, and marriage and civil partnerships.

Can you tell me if this statement is true or false? The Equality Act 2010 protects people from being treated unfairly because of their personal identity, helping everyone feel like they belong.

So is that true or false? Well done if you said that's true.

Sofia has made a statement about her personal identity and a statement about her sense of belonging.

Let's practise what we've learned.

So what connections can you make between the two? So Sofia says, "My personal identity includes my culture, my interests, and how I see myself.

I feel like I belong when people accept who I am and include me in their group." So have a look at that statement and write down any connections you can make between them.

So Sofia has made a statement about her personal identity and a statement about her sense of belonging, and I asked you to make connections between the two, and you could have said something like this.

Sofia's culture, which is her personal identity, connects to people accepting who she is, her belonging, Sofia's interests, which is her personal identity, connect to being included in their group, which is belonging.

How she sees herself, her personal identity, connects to feeling like she belongs, which is belonging.

Well done if you spotted those connections.

We're onto the third part of our lesson now, and it asks, how can communities work together better? Community cohesion means people in a community getting along, working together, and supporting each other no matter their background, religion, race, or beliefs.

It's about feeling like you belong, being respected, and helping others feel safe and welcome too.

If everyone includes others, helps out, respects different opinions, and solves problems peacefully, that's community cohesion.

It's important because it helps reduce misunderstandings.

When people feel connected, the whole community becomes stronger and happier.

Community cohesion encourages tolerance by helping different communities understand, respect, and support each other.

This does not mean everyone has to agree about everything, though.

People can recognise and live alongside beliefs and opinions that are different from their own as long as no one is harmed by those choices.

There are a range of ways in which someone can feel like they belong within a community.

Can you think of any? So you might have thought of these: feeling accepted for who they are, having a voice, being involved, and being safe from discrimination.

Communities are connected by shared goals and values, which also forms part of a person's identity.

Here we have and Andeep, and he says, "I feel like I belong as I am a member of the school council." Andeep's example shows how he has a sense of belonging within his community.

But in what ways? Is it A, having a voice? B, being involved? Or C, feeling accepted? So he talks about A, having a voice, and B, being involved.

That's all parts of being a member of the school council and shows he has a sense of belonging.

Schools teach British values and human rights in subjects such as Citizenship to help people live and work well together.

British values include democracy, rule of law, liberty, respect, and tolerance.

Peoples learn about different cultures, human rights, and how to treat everyone equally.

They also learn that everyone has the right to feel safe and be heard, and that we should respect each other's differences.

After a tragic bombing at a concert in Manchester Arena in 2017, people across the city came together.

Individuals from all backgrounds, different races, religions, and ages, showed support for one another.

They raised money for the victims, held vigils where people stood together in peace, used the slogan "We stand together," which became a symbol of unity.

Although the attackers aimed to divide the community, the event actually brought people closer together, showing respect, kindness, and strength.

So is this true or false? The only way to improve the way communities work together is through implementing more laws.

That one's false.

There are a range of ways we can improve how communities work together.

This might include legislation or laws, but also includes other measures such as education.

Let's bring all that together now, and what I'd like you to do is explain two different ways in which we can help communities work together.

You should try to include the following aspects within your written response: an explanation of community cohesion, two methods of improving community cohesion using specific examples, and an example of an event where communities have come together.

So pause the video and try to write down two different ways in which we can help communities work together.

And once you've done that, come back and we can have a look at what you might have put.

Well done for giving that a go.

And what I had asked you to do is to explain two different ways in which we can help communities work together.

So your answer could have included this.

Community cohesion means everyone in a community working together and supporting each other regardless of their personal identity, like race, religion, or background.

It is about feeling like you belong, being treated with respect, and making sure others feel safe and included too.

It also means accepting that people might have different opinions and beliefs and living peacefully with each other as long as no one is harmed.

It might have continued with this.

One way to improve community cohesion is by celebrating different cultures.

For example, schools can have events where people share food and music from their backgrounds.

This helps people understand and respect each other.

Another way is by teaching British values like respect, fairness, and democracy in schools.

When pupils learn to listen to others and be kind, they help make the community stronger.

A good example of communities coming together is after the Manchester Arena attack of 2017.

People from different backgrounds helped each other and showed kindness during a difficult time.

During today's lesson, we've learned that belonging means the sense of being part of a community, society, or nation.

It involves feeling accepted, valued, and included in social, cultural, and political life.

Personal identity is who you are.

This includes your beliefs, values, culture, personality, and things that make you unique.

Plurality refers to the recognition and inclusion of diverse identities and backgrounds within a community.

Communities work together through communicating and ensuring all members of the community are included.

The UK uses education and legislation to help ensure everyone has a sense of belonging within the country.

The well done for working through that lesson.

I've really enjoyed doing this lesson on community with you and look forward to seeing you in a Citizenship lesson soon.