Day-Mer and Gik-Der are working on a community-based research project on the social needs of Turkish and Kurdish communities in London, with a particular focus on Haringey.

The Community Connection Haringey Project brings together Haringey Council, local community networks and voluntary organisations to strengthen relationships between public services and Kurdish, Turkish, Somali, African & Caribbean, Women’s and LGBTQIA+ communities. The project focuses especially on areas with historic tensions, such as Northumberland Park and Harringay, and aims to build long-term trust and cooperation.

The aims of the project are:

• To map key community representatives and organisations and strengthen their links with health, police and council services.
• To work with the Turkish and Kurdish Community Network to deliver workshops and events that improves cultural understanding and communication.

Alongside other activities, the project also includes research based on community engagement and lived experience to inform local policy and practice. Specifically, the research will concern the social needs of Haringey’s Turkish and Kurdish communities, focusing on the question: “What would it take for public bodies to build trust in these communities?”

This research, which will take place between November 2025 and March 2026, will include:

• A review and analysis of official statistics other data sources.
• A questionnaire conducted amongst representatives of public bodies working with Kurdish and Turkish communities in Haringey and members of these communities.
• Additional in-depth focus groups and interviews with individuals and key informants.

The project’s learning, insights and recommendations will be shared widely through community events, presentations and engagement sessions with local partners to encourage reflection, shared understanding and long-term collaboration across the borough.

Team and contact details - If you are interested in participating in the research or would like further details, please contact the project team:

Day-Mer Co-ordinator:  Taylan Sahbaz (info@daymer.org);

Community Cohesion and Resilience Manager: Alkan Karaçam (alkan@daymer.org) 

Tel: 020 7275 8440