When the fourth goal hit the back of the net at Hampden and the final whistle blew, it didn’t matter where you were watching - in the living room, down the pub, standing inside the ground - you hugged, high-fived, cheered and shared a moment that cut through difference. That night, it didn’t matter which club you supported at the weekend, what pressures you were carrying or whether you even followed football. Our national men's team had won and was going to the World Cup for the first time in 27 years. It was a reminder of what happens when people stand together, shoulder to shoulder. Hope becomes possible and the hard things feel a little less heavy. 

Over recent months, many people across Falkirk have told me they don’t feel much of that hope. Families are stretched. People are worried about money, about public services, about the tone of national debates and about what comes next. None of this is happening in isolation. The long shadow of COVID, the rising cost of living, national pressure on housing and health services, and divisive debates on asylum and immigration all shape how secure people feel day to day. Online, misinformation spreads quickly and heightens fear when people are simply looking for answers.

It is no surprise that some feel unheard or that their concerns are being overlooked. When worries accumulate like this, it weakens the resilience communities rely on. Yet Falkirk has always been a place that welcomes others and supports those in need. We have a long history of people from different backgrounds living and working together, and of offering safety to families and individuals fleeing conflict and persecution. That is something we should remain proud of.

But cohesion does not happen automatically. It needs to be rebuilt, reinforced and protected, especially during difficult periods. 

In October this year, the motion brought to council made our position clear: we reject discrimination in all its forms, and everyone in Falkirk deserves dignity, respect and safety. It also recognised that people have the right to raise concerns. Listening matters. Where people are worried about access to services or about what is happening in their neighbourhoods, we have a duty to respond with clear information, practical support and empathy.

Tension rarely comes from one issue alone. It reflects wider national pressures: access to GP appointments, housing challenges, uncertainty about jobs, frustration about how policy is communicated. For many, these pressures blur together. Emotions run high. Our role as a council, in collaboration with our partners, is to help people navigate this, not add to it.

Community cohesion is about creating the conditions where people feel safe, respected and part of something bigger than themselves. It means building trust between neighbours, strengthening understanding across backgrounds, and making sure nobody feels pushed to the margins. When cohesion is strong, communities are more resilient and conflict is less likely to take hold.

We know there is more to do, and this conversation cannot end with one council motion or one moment. It needs continued work across education, housing, advice services, community groups, and local partners. 

For now, I come back to that feeling we all shared after that spectacular final goal. Standing together doesn’t remove the challenges, but it reminds us that we are stronger when we face them as a community.