Here at FaithAction, we believe that strong cross-sector partnerships between faith groups and statutory bodies have immense potential to drive and sustain change for the vulnerable and marginalised. However, work in this space is still in its infancy.
For this reason, we began to host an annual Faith in Partnership week to celebrate cross-sector work taking place in the UK at a local and national level and to encourage its expansion.
For Faith in Partnership Week 2024 we held a series of in-person and online events to bring together faith groups, statutory body representatives, local authority representatives, parliamentarians and others to highlight some of the fantastic work being done as part of this collaboration. You can read more about our events below.
However, this work doesn’t end with #FaithinPartnership Week. Across the year faith groups and statutory bodies will continue to develop relationships and finding and developing ways to work in this collaborative way. And we want to hear about it!
Please continue to let us know what you’re up to via social media using our hashtags! Or get in touch with the team – [email protected]
There is a lot to consider - very thought-provoking points raised. I am excited to see what this important campaign will bring. As Wendy mentioned - “equity is a matter of justice” - and this is well overdue!
Dr Aziza Sesay
"I am determined to maintain an open door policy and listen, I want to engage with as many Faith leaders as possible - faith based organisations play a vital role in communities, providing support to people of all faiths and none."
Lord Khan, Faith Minister
On Monday, we held a panel discussion with a specially selected audience to explore the role of faith communities in working in partnership with the NHS and other stakeholders to address persistent inequalities in maternal health outcomes for women from black and minority ethnic communities.
The event was cchaired by Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally with contributions from a national perspective, including Wendy Olayiwola, National Maternity Lead for Equality at NHS England, as well as insight from people with lived experience and grassroots projects addressing inequalities.
Our termly Faith Covenant Forum returned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Faith Covenant, signed by Birmingham City Council. We were joined by representatives from our 32 Faith Covenant areas, as well as others from areas looking to sign a Covenant.
Our discussions covered the results of FaithAction’s ‘What Matters to Us’ survey, run during the election campaign to gather thoughts from members of the faith community around the priorities for the new government, and the successes of the last 10 years of the Faith Covenant, including asking our attendees to think about what they would like to see for their Covenant going forward.
On Wednesday we hosted a breakfast reception celebrating Faith in Partnership and 10 years of the Faith Covenant.
Featuring Lord Khan, Minister for Faith, our event looked at the importance of partnership working, looked at how it has been successful in our Covenant areas, and also how collaboration between faith groups and statutory bodies can make use of the trust built up by faith groups within their local communities.
Know a good story about partnership working between faith and statutory bodies in your area? Want support with kickstarting partnership working in your area? Or just want to talk to us about Faith in Partnership? Drop us a line using this form!
Looking to run your own events during Faith in Partnership week? We have some handy templates, including our official logo for this year’s Faith in Partnership week theme, Faith for the Future!
Coventry University recently evaluated three innovative projects delivered by faith groups with national government and local authorities. To explore their findings, we held an online discussion about the impact and lessons learned.
We held an online discussion with expert theorists, policymakers, and practitioners on the opportunities and challenges for faith-public partnerships in the UK. Featuring Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP and Prof Jim McManus and panellists including Prof Jagbir Jhutti-Johal.
The West Midlands Combined Authority became the first combined authority to sign the Faith Covenant. This signing event and subsequent work aims to both celebrate and catalyse partnership working across the region.
In this guest blog, Nadia Khan of Brent Council explains why its vital for local authorities to involve faith groups in their climate change response.
We have been thrilled to see Café Connect groups launch in three regions of the UK to welcome Hong Kongers into the UK, by providing a place to practise conversational English, make friends, meet local people, find out about systems and services and learn about UK history and culture.
Around 50 attendees gathered in Christ Apostolic Church in Tower Hamlets to celebrate the achievements of the Faith Health Action Partnership project (FHAP).
Creative English for Health has been delivered over the past year in Birmingham, funded by Birmingham City Council. Here are some stories which show some of the elements that make it work and their impacts.
These reports highlight the challenges and innovations of partnership working between faith groups and the health and care system.
These reports look at collaboration between local authorities and faith groups during COVID-19, the effect that the pandemic has had on partnership working, and recommendations for the future.
An evaluation of the Café Connect programme carried out by Dr Dan Range.
An evaluation of the Faith Health Action Partnership in Tower Hamlets carried out by Dr Dan Range.
An evaluation of the Creative English for Health programme funded by the Public Health Team of Birmingham Council, carried out by Dr Dan Range and Florence Gildea.