BOSSES from the Octagon Theatre travelled to Brussels to speak in the European Parliament about how the arts and culture can improve community cohesion.

Lisa O'Neill-Rogan was asked to address the parliament during a committee meeting into cohesion policy and marginalised communities.

She spoke of the theatre's work with Bolton at Home, and their partnership work which is aimed at assisting marginalisation within communities.

During her speech, Mrs O'Neill-Rogan said that 'emerging communities' often feel marginalised in Bolton, and that some members of the town's white British population have also felt marginalised, often leading to isolated and segregated communities.

She said that the partnership between the theatre and Bolton at Home, which owns and manages 18,000 homes across the borough, is aimed at providing 'creative solutions' to address problems.

She argued that cultural opportunities and increased participation in projects which bring people together help them to learn more about each other, to the benefit of the community.

An example of the work the two organisations have completed is a project involving a group of Somalian and Sudanese women regarding female genital mutilation, with the group producing a piece of theatre to empower women to address the issue where the practice still existed and was happening in Bolton.

Mrs O'Neill-Rogan was invited by North West MEP Julie Ward, who is asked to propose organisations or projects demonstrating best practice in areas related to committees she is involved with.

After the speech, Mrs O'Neill-Rogan said: "It was quite a nerve wracking experience, but hopefully the speech will have an impact into the final report that goes out.

"Often arts and culture are not seen as avenues for social changes, and are seen as a bit wooly, but they actually can go some way to make changes in society."

Ms Ward said: "What makes Lisa's contribution particularly special, is that we are bringing a creative project into the Regional Development Committee hearing on Cohesion Policy and Marginalised Communities, demonstrating just how effective the arts can be at addressing a multitude of social issues across all the Committees in the Parliament.

"Bolton at Home are a special social housing charity and the Bolton Octagon is a well respected regional theatre, together they prove how alternative approaches delivered with, not for a community, can build stronger and more sustainable relationships."