MASECO Private Wealth Honoured to Attend Woolf Institute Event at the House of Lords

Written by Communications at MASECO

MASECO Private Wealth was delighted to attend the “Diversity in the Spotlight” event at the House of Lords on 15 October 2024, hosted by the Woolf Institute. The gathering featured Lord Woolf, the Institute’s founding patron, and highlighted the Woolf Diversity Study 2024. Discussions centred on the challenges and opportunities in Britain’s diverse landscape under the new government. Our participation underscores our dedication to fostering inclusivity and supporting informed policy-making.

At MASECO, we are delighted to support the vital work of the Woolf Institute and are proud to announce that it has been chosen as one of our featured charities for 2024. This partnership reflects our broader commitment to invest in and support organisations that drive meaningful change by fostering understanding, social cohesion, and positive societal impact.

Event Highlights

The Woolf Institute presented the findings of its 2024 Diversity Study, which surveyed over 10,000 adults in England and Wales. Some of the key statistics included:

• 24% of respondents disagreed with the statement that migrants are good for British society.
• 57% agreed that the number of migrants has increased too quickly over the past decade.
• Notably, 33% of those concerned with the pace of migration still believed that immigration is beneficial to society.

Attitudes towards religious and ethnic diversity were found to correlate with education and local community perceptions, with older age groups and those with lower educational qualifications more likely to hold negative views.

These findings underline the complexities of public attitudes towards diversity, where both positive and negative perspectives coexist. The Woolf Institute emphasised the importance of addressing these tensions by fostering deeper public debate and enhancing policymaker access to robust academic research.

The Woolf Institute’s Crucial Work

For over 25 years, the Woolf Institute has been at the forefront of academic and policy research on diversity, interfaith relations, and societal cohesion. In the past year, their work has been especially timely and impactful, with notable projects like the Commission for the Integration of Refugees, which examined the UK’s response to the growing asylum crisis, and the How to Continue Talking project, which addresses the strain on interfaith relations following the events of the Gaza conflict.

The Woolf Institute’s work has never been more important. With rising tensions and polarising views on topics such as immigration and interfaith relations, the Institute is spearheading research and dialogue to create spaces for understanding and collaboration. Their continued commitment to breaking down barriers between communities is a cause we are proud to support.

Looking Ahead

We are excited to strengthen our partnership with the Woolf Institute as they continue their groundbreaking work, including the Faith in Mental Health initiative and upcoming events led by new Senior Research Fellow Lucy Peacock. These initiatives offer us meaningful opportunities to support their efforts in empowering communities, bridging divides, and promoting diversity and cohesion across the UK.

At MASECO Private Wealth, we remain committed to backing initiatives that create lasting societal impact, and we are confident that our collaboration with the Woolf Institute will further drive positive change.

To read the 2024 Woolf Diversity Study, please follow the link below.

The Woolf Diversity Study | The Woolf Institute (cam.ac.uk)