Faith Groups
The 2001 UK National Census showed that over three-quarters of respondents reported having some religious affiliation. The UK is home to a diverse range of communities of faith who together make a sizable contribution to the quality of life in local neighbourhoods and wider society. A large number of inter faith and multi faith local bodies in the UK now play a key role in bringing people of different faiths together to increase trust, understanding and respect; build community cohesion; foster co-operation on local issues and work jointly on social and educational projects.* Faith based charities also form a significant part of the charitable sector, with 25,500+ currently operating in England and Wales.
However, research undertaken in 2006 found that only 4% of faith representatives surveyed felt that there are sufficient numbers of them on Local Public Partnerships (LPPs)**. Many also experience a lack of understanding of faith based issues and concerns when participating in LPPs. Whilst a number of faith organisations participate in Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs), fewer participate in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPS).
A 2003 study funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation explored the contribution of faith communities and their members to urban regeneration, and the relationship of faith communities to official programmes of neighbourhood renewal. The research noted that traditional 'mainstream' Christian denominations are often prominent in urban policy and regeneration networks, whilst other traditions and faiths, such as 'black-majority' Christian churches, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, are often less well represented within the official regeneration apparatus***.
Policy makers are increasingly recognising the important role of faith based organisations in responding to local need and resolving community conflict. In July 2008 The Department for Communities and Local Government launched "Face to Face and Side by Side: A framework for partnership in our multi faith society" which sets out how faith communities, Government and wider society can work together, at all levels, to encourage and enable greater local activity which brings people with different religions and beliefs together.
Faith based Hate Crime
Hate Crimes committed with faith as the motivating factor are the third most prevalent form of Hate Crime in London, following race and sexuality****. Although there has been a 31% reduction in recorded faith hate crime since 2005 (from 1005 incidents recorded in 2005-06 to 696 in 2006-07), research shows that faith hate crime is chronically under reported.*****)
The Racial and Religious Hatred Act, which forbids threats and other intimidating statements intended to stir up hatred against people because of their religious beliefs, came into effect in October 2007. It outlaws the use of threatening words or behaviour intended to incite hatred against groups of people because of their faith.
* Source: Communities and Local Government website
** Source: Faith Representation: Faith representatives on Local Public Partnerships, report by Church Urban Fund, research undertaken and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
***‘ Source: Faith’ in urban regeneration? Engaging faith communities in urban regeneration – Joseph Rowntree Foundation
**** Source: Race on the Agenda (ROTA) Restoring Relationships Project: Adressing Hate Crime through restorative justice. A London study
*****Source: London Race Hate crime forum - Annual report 2006-07
External Links
- The Cohesion Directorate of the Department of Communities and Local Government
Works with other government departments to reduce race and faith inequalities in education, health, housing and the Criminal Justice System, as well as the labour market.
www.communities.gov.uk/communities/racecohesionfaith/ - The Charity Commission Faith and Social Cohesion Unit
The Charity Commissions faith groups outreach programme aimed to optimise support to faith-based charities. Its research found that many believed that local government authorities discriminated against them because they were faith-based charities. As a response the Commission has set up a Faith and Social Cohesion Unit to work with and support faith based charities:
www.charitycommission.gov.uk - Guidance on New Measures to Outlaw Discrimination on Grounds of Religion or Belief
www.communities.gov.uk/communities - Faith Communities Consultative Council (FCCC)
A non-statutory body aiming to provide a national forum, chiefly concerned with issues related to cohesion, integration, the development of sustainable communities, neighbourhood renewal, and social inclusion. The Council also has general oversight on engagement between central Government and faith communities. www.communities.gov.uk/communities - The Faith Based Regeneration Network UK (FbRN)
A national multi faith network for community regeneration and social action
www.fbrn.org.uk - The Inter Faith Network
Works to promote good relations between people of different faiths in the UK
www.interfaith.org.uk/ - Multi-Faith Centre
Exists to promote mutual understanding between people of different faiths and beliefs and to build respect between people as fellow human beings
www.multifaithcentre.org - Muslim Safety Forum
The key advisory body for the Metropolitan Police Service and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on issues concerning British Muslims.
www.muslimsafetyforum.org/ - Community Security Trust (CST)
Provides physical security, training and advice for the protection of British Jews.
www.thecst.org.uk - The Church Urban Fund
Supports social action in the most deprived areas of England. CUF is a funder but also offers second tier information through its various publications
www.cuf.org.uk/ - Faithworks
A movement of individuals, churches and organisations motivated by their Christian faith to serve the needs of their local communities. Faithworks exists to resource, inspire and speak up for these initiatives
www.faithworks.info - Churches' Community Work Alliance
Supports and encourages community development work in the life of the churches providing guidance and support to community development projects
www.ccwa.org.uk/ - Churches Child Protection Advisory Service
Provides advice, support and training for churches and other faith groups on all aspects of safe-guarding children.
www.ccpas.co.uk/ - St Ethelburga’s – Centre for Reconciliation and Peace
Devoted to promoting understanding of the relationship between faith and conflict. The Centre offers talks, workshops and training on the theme of reconciliation and peace making.
www.stethelburgas.org Livability Community Mission
Equips churches and Christian groups to work for change in their communities.
Community Mission Advisors work alongside churches to help them develop social action and community development - for any time period between three months and two years. Locations: London (within the M25), Leeds, Bradford and surrounding towns and cities.
www.livability.org.uk
Downloads and research
British Crime Survey 06/07 supplement
For the first time a supplement to the BCS (06/07) looked at religious groups perceptions of crime, police and the criminal justice system.
www.homeoffice.gov.uk‘Faith’ in urban regeneration? Engaging faith communities in urban regeneration – Joseph Rowntree Foundation
This study, by a team from the Universities of Bradford, Coventry, East London and Sheffield Hallam, explores a neglected dimension of 'community' - the commitments, interests, organisations and social networks that relate to people's religious identities. It explores the present and potential contribution of faith communities and their members to regeneration, and the relationship of faith communities to official programmes of neighbourhood renewal.
For a summary of findings and details on how to order:
www.jrf.org.ukFace to Face and Side by Side: A framework for partnership in our multi faith society – department for communitites and Local Government
Sets out how faith communities, Government and wider society can work together, at all levels, to encourage and enable greater local activity which brings people with different religions and beliefs together
www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communitiesFaithful Representation
Research undertaken in 2006 by the Church Urban Fund, Coventry University and the Faith-based Regeneration Network (FBRN) on behalf of the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Looks at faith representatives on Local Partnerships.
www.cuf.org.ukThe Charity Commission Faith Groups Programme 2004 – 07
Aimed at extending the Commission’s work with faith-based charities
www.charitycommission.gov.uk/enhancingcharities/faithBelieving in local action – 2008 CUF report
In collaboration with the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) and the department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) showing how working together improves services to local people in some of England's poorest communities.
www.cuf.org.uk/Believing_in_Local_ActionFaith hope and clarity; Developing and testing a model of faith group involvement in civic renewal - 2004
A research proposal from the Local Governance research unit, De Montford University
www.gsr.gov.uk/downloadsRace on the Agenda (ROTA) Restoring Relationships Project: Adressing Hate Crime through restorative justice. A London study
www.rota.org.uk/downloads
Advisory Service
London Action Trust
88 Clapham Road
London, SW9 0JR
Tel 020 7793 3730
Fax 020 7820 3577
Email csas@lat.org.uk
Registered in England No. 2897056 Charity No. 1039534
© London Action Trust 2007
Funded by