Executive Summary
Demographics and communities
Foleshill and Longford has seen significant population growth, increasing by 13% over the past decade to 34,400 residents, partly due to new housing developments like Webster’s Park. The area has a younger population, with 25% being children aged 0-15, and fewer elderly residents compared to the city average.
The population is increasingly diverse, with 70.2% from ethnic minority groups, compared to 45% in Coventry overall. The largest group is Asian Pakistani (14.2%), with a rise in the Black African population and a decline in White British residents. International migration, including economic migrants, students, asylum seekers, and refugees, has significantly contributed to growth. The area has a higher proportion of asylum seekers than others.
Foleshill and Longford is one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the city, with 30.3% of residents not speaking English as their main language. Common languages include Panjabi, Polish, Urdu, and African languages. This diversity presents challenges in accessing services.
While the area celebrates diversity through festivals, there has been a decline in feelings of belonging and community cohesion. Cultural participation and community involvement have also decreased. Support for newly arrived communities is provided by organisations like the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre, Foleshill Women’s Training, and the Roma Project, with libraries aiding in language learning and integration.
Prospects
By age 5, only 57.8% of children in Foleshill and Longford achieve a good level of development, below the Coventry (61.1%) and national average (65.2%). There are some factors that may contribute to child development that are measured and the statistics are presented in this profile, although of course these are not the only, or necessarily most important factors. These factors being: higher maternal smoking rates and lower breastfeeding rates. However the area does have higher rates of early antenatal care and health visitor reviews.
Foleshill and Longford face high child poverty rates, which have increased since 2014/15, and 41% of residents live in England's most deprived areas. The area's attainment at age 11 is higher than Coventry’s average, but performance drops by school-leaving age. Additionally, 59% of residents worry about money, and economic inactivity is higher than the city average.
Community support includes health visitors, the Family Hub, and voluntary groups like Foleshill Women's Training. Initiatives such as food hubs, the Holiday Activity and Food programme, and digital skills drop-ins help residents. Collaborative efforts through the Hope Hub and Foleshill Community Centre foster resilience amid these challenges.
Housing and environment
Satisfaction in Foleshill and Longford is below the city average, with some residents feeling the area has declined. Air quality is poorer due to major roads, but initiatives are in place to address traffic and pollution. Foleshill has less green space compared to Coventry, while Longford benefits from good access, notably Longford Park. Green spaces bring communities together, reduce loneliness and mitigate the negative effects of air pollution, excessive noise, heat, and flooding. There is opportunity to work with communities to protect and improve existing green space and create new ones in areas most in need.
Home ownership is below average, with higher private renting and lower house prices. Overcrowding and homelessness are more prevalent. Fuel poverty is high, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. Crime rates are higher than average and rising, with reduced feelings of safety in recent years.
Health and wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing in Foleshill and Longford is below the city average, with shorter life expectancies and higher poor health rates. Life expectancy is lower than the city average of 82.0 years for females and 78.0 years for males, though Foleshill West has higher life expectancy, especially for females.
COVID-19 highlighted health inequalities, with higher mortality rates in this deprived, diverse area. Despite this, vaccination rates are relatively low.
Addressing these health inequalities requires a citywide approach, considering lifestyle factors linked to socioeconomic conditions. While residents have good access to health services, vaccination rates for childhood vaccines are below 95%, and lifestyle issues like high smoking rates, low fruit and vegetable consumption, and low physical activity contribute to health problems. Childhood obesity rates are also higher. Improving support group awareness and sustainability is essential for addressing these health needs.