IFN e-bulletin April 2019
The Inter Faith Network E-bulletin provides news and reports on the activities of the Network and other inter faith initiatives, including ‘diary dates’.
This is a web version of IFN's April 2019 E-bulletin. A PDF version of this and past e-bulletins can be found here.
Faith and public life updates
- Exit from the European Union
- Government’s Integrated Communities Action Plan
- Hate crime
- Christchurch terrorist attack and faith and inter faith responses
- Places of worship security funding boost
- Faith leaders joint call to respond to the DEC Cyclone Idai Appeal
- Facebook, white nationalism, separatism, and terrorist material
- Multi faith response to refugees
- MCW Annual Interfaith Dinner
- Faith leader training programme
- VisitMyMosque Day and Sadaqa Day
- RE:ONLINE Blog series on the Commission on RE report
Inter Faith Network for the UK News
- Meeting of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum
- Meeting for National and Regional Inter Faith Organisations and Educational and Academic Bodies
- Day event for local inter faith practitioners
- Inter Faith Week 2019
Inter faith projects, programmes and developments
- Youth inter faith engagement
- Faith and the environment
- Re-imagining Religion and Belief for Public Policy and Practice
- Religious London
- CCJ and CTBI joint project on anti-Judaism
Resources and study/training
- IFN Annual Review and Bradford event report
- Untold Stories: Women of Faith
- Angels in our City – Film
- Confidently Addressing Radicalisation and Extremism – St Philip’s Centre
- Faith and cultural awareness training
Calls for information
Jobs, internships and volunteering
- Inter Faith Network for the UK – Volunteers
- Interfaith Scotland – Volunteers
- Council for Christians and Jews – Jewish Programme Manager and Programming Assistant
- Faith & Belief Forum – Major Donor Fundraiser
Funding opportunities
- Windrush compensation scheme
- The M B Reckitt Trust
- Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund
- Funding websites
- Website and Facebook grants
- Google and charities
- Subsidised fundraising workshops
Special Weeks/Days
Diary Dates
FAITH AND PUBLIC LIFE UPDATES
Exit from the European Union
The period since the last e-bulletin has seen complicated and at times fractious debate within Parliament, within political parties and within society more widely about the process of exit from the European Union. There have been calls from within faith communities for unity and healing of division, for example by the General Synod of the Church of England in February.
At a meeting of the IFN Faith Communities Forum on 5 February, officials from the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) and from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) talked about the EU Exit and faith communities.
DExEU has a website which makes available information about Exit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-exiting-the-european-union
An issue of particular concern for those communities with members from the European Union is their status post Exit. Information about the EU Settlement Scheme is at https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families. The UK and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have signed an agreement to protect the rights of citizens in each other’s countries in the event that a withdrawal agreement is not reached with the EU.
Guidance for local authorities has been published by MHCLG. This guidance aims to provide local authorities with support on the ways in which they can understand, engage and reassure their communities in the lead up to and following EU exit as part of their work to build stronger, better integrated communities. It is part of the package of support being offered to local authorities. It stresses the importance of community engagement which it says “offers a means of building links with communities, challenging misconceptions and offering reassurance, including with vulnerable groups. In this way it can be an effective method to reduce any risks of community tensions and quickly addressing these should they occur.” The material includes detailed guidance in relation to potential tensions and hate crime.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/community-engagement-and-eu-exit-guidance-for-local-authorities
Government’s Integrated Communities Action Plan
On 9 February, the UK Government published its Integrated Communities Action Plan. This contains a range of cross-government measures “to support the Government’s commitment to build strong integrated communities where people – whatever their background – live, work, learn and socialise together, based on shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities.” It builds upon the proposals set out in the Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper and responses to the consultation. The plan has an England focus.
Hate Crime
In February a number of reports were issued which relate to hate crime. The Community Security Trust published its 2018 Antisemitic Incidents Report https://cst.org.uk/data/file/2/9/Incidents%20Report%202018%20-%20web.1549538710.pdf which recorded a further increase in such incidents; the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hate Crime its report ‘How can we build community cohesion when hate crime is on the rise?’ http://www.appghatecrime.org/publications/; and Hope Not Hate its report ‘State of Hate’ https://www.hopenothate.org.uk/2019/02/17/state-hate-2019/
Faith and inter faith bodies offer important support in contexts where there are, for example, attacks on places of worship or other faith community sites, such as cemeteries – as well as more widely. This assistance is both practical and an important witness to solidarity, as reflected in the publication Looking After One Another: The Safety and Security of our Faith Communities (IFN with the the Home Office, MHCLG, the Crown Prosecution Service, National Police Chiefs’ Council and National Fire Chiefs Council): https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/looking-after-one-another-the-safety-and-security-of-our-faith-communities-2017 .
Christchurch terrorist attack and faith and inter faith responses
Around the UK, many faith and inter faith organisations have been among those who have responded through messages, statements vigils, services, prayers and times of silence to the 15 March terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. 50 people died and many more were injured.
A list of responses by IFN member faith and inter faith bodies can be found at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/christchurch-mosque-attacks-responses-by-faith-and-inter-faith-bodies .
On 15 March IFN’s Co-Chairs and the Moderators of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum issued the following statement in response to the attacks:
“Today's appalling terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand have been responded to here in the UK with prayers, condemnation and demonstrations of solidarity with the Muslim community, including at the Friday prayer.
As we said after the murderous attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh USA last year, attacks on churches, gurdwaras, mosques, temples and other places of worship of different faiths here and around the world are a reminder of the need to condemn extremist violence in the strongest terms and to stand together and to continue to work together with ever greater urgency against ignorance, prejudice and hatred.
Hatred targeting any community because of its faith and belief is a scourge that cannot be tolerated. There must be freedom to worship and practise our faith freely and without fear.”
A copy of this statement is also on the IFN website at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/terrorist-attack-on-mosques-in-chistchurch-nz-statement. IFN’s Policy on the making of statements is at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/uploads/Policy_on_making_of_statements.pdf.
On 18 March IFN’s Co-Chairs sent the following message to IFN member bodies:
“In the three days since the New Zealand terrorist attacks there have been a number of incidents in the UK, including an extreme right wing ‘terror attack’ in Surrey and extreme right wing graffiti on an Oxford school. This has been followed by news of an attack from a gunman in Utrecht in the Netherlands, thought at this time possibly to be a terrorist attack. Past statements from us and from the FCF Moderators make clear the condemnation of both extremist hate incidents and terrorist attacks.
Friday’s statement by the Co-Chairs and Moderators can be seen at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/terrorist-attack-on-mosques-in-chistchurch-nz-statement and was also circulated by email under Circular 08/19. The office continues to put on the IFN website links to those statements made and vigils held by member bodies of which it is aware https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/christchurch-mosque-attacks-responses-by-faith-and-inter-faith-bodies. Many vigils and meetings have been taking place around the UK. While it is important to take active steps to tackle hatred and attacks, these opportunities to come together are important in their own right.
The work of all IFN’s member bodies to build bridges, to encourage conversation, to stand in solidarity is very important at this time. Please do continue to keep the IFN office in touch with what you are doing.”
On 21 March five mosques in Birmingham were targeted in a string of attacks overnight and into the morning. A local man subsequently handed himself in to police and was detained under the Mental Health Act.
Places of worship security funding boost
On 19 March the Home Secretary announced an increase in the Places of Worship Fund to £1.6 million and announced a new £5 million fund to be opened to provide security training.
The Places of Worship Fund, established in 2016 as part of the Government’s Hate Crime Action Plan, provides financial support for physical protective security such as fencing, lighting and CCTV. To increase uptake in the Fund and ensure it reaches those most vulnerable to hate crime, the bidding process will be simplified. Organisations no longer have to prove they have previously experienced a hate crime incident directly.
Places of worship will also benefit from a new £5 million fund over 3 years to provide protective security training. The scheme is currently under development and is set to start delivering in 2019/2020.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/places-of-worship-to-get-security-funding-boost.
Faith leaders joint call to respond to the DEC Cyclone Idai Appeal
UK faith leaders and the faith-based charities CAFOD, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Tearfund and World Vision UK, which are among 14 UK aid agency members of the Disasters Emergency Committee, have urged ‘Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths and none’ to support DEC’s Cyclone Idai Appeal to help those affected.
Cyclone Idai swept through Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe in March, killing at least 750 people and leaving 2.5 million people in need of help.
For more information, visit https://www.dec.org.uk/press-release/urgent-call-from-faith-leaders-to-respond-generously-to-the-dec-cyclone-idai-appeal.
Facebook, white nationalism, separatism, and terrorist material
Facebook has said it will block ‘praise, support and representation of white nationalism and separatism’ on Facebook and Instagram from the beginning of April.
The BBC reported on 28 March that Facebook has also pledged to improve its ability to identify and block material from terrorist groups and that Facebook users searching for offending terms will be directed to a charity which combats far-right extremism.
Multi faith response to refugees
A new project has been launched to support the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into Scottish communities. It is called the New Scots Integration Programme. The multi-faith partnership, Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, is offering tailor made events, workshops and information sessions to congregations and faith groups to increase awareness and understanding of refugees, and work with them as they support people in rebuilding their lives. For more information, contact Sabine Chalmers, National Faith Groups Refugee Integration Co-ordinator, on schalmers@churchofscotland.org.uk.
A number of local inter faith groups and faith communities continue to respond in different ways to support refugees as this article about Cornwall Faith Forum reflects https://www.opendemocracy.net/…/sh…/living-refugee-cornwall/ Cornwall Faith Forum - Dor Kemmyn Refugee Council #refugees #interfaith.
Refugee Week takes place from 17-23 June. Each year many faith inter faith bodies take part. For those wishing to do so this year, resources can be found at http://refugeeweek.org.uk/resources/.
MCW Annual Interfaith Dinner
On 26 March, the Muslim Council of Wales held its Annual Interfaith Dinner 2019 with the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth and former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Professor Wajih Kanso, Director of the Royal Institute of Inter-faith Studies as its keynote speakers. Mark Drakeford was the chief guest. https://www.facebook.com/muslimcouncilwales/posts/2855418824682219
For general information about inter faith activity in Wales contact the Inter Faith Council for Wales - aled@cytun.org.uk.
Faith Leader Training Programme
Faith Minister Lord Bourne confirmed on 8 February that over 300 faith leaders will have access to a new training programme established to support their roles within communities. The programme will have a focus on improving the capacity of faith leaders to identify issues like domestic and sexual abuse, mental health concerns. The programme will also seek to educate the leaders on equalities legislation and UK marriage law. It is described as part of the Government’s commitment to support and listen to faith communities, presented in the Integrated Communities Strategy Green paper and as having been developed following direct consultation with faith leaders. The programme seeks to “empower faith leaders with the confidence and knowledge to meet the changing needs of their congregations.” The training is voluntary and will be delivered in person and online.
Further information is at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/training-introduced-to-help-faith-leaders-support-their-communities.
VisitMyMosque Day and Sadaqa Day
VisitMyMosque Day took place on Sunday 3 March. Over 250 mosques across the UK held open days to welcome in their neighbours from other communities. In the lead up to the Day, on 26 February Muslim faith leaders from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland visited churches, synagogues, mandirs and gurdwaras across the country.
More information is at https://mcb.org.uk/press-releases/muslims-say-thank-you-as-over-250-mosques-open-their-doors-to-the-public/.
Sadaqa Day took place on Sunday 24 March. It is an annual day of faith-based social action led by the Muslim community. More information is at mysadaqaday.org.
Both VisitMyMosque Day and Sadaqa Day supported Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean.
RE:ONLINE blog series on the Commission on RE report
The Commission on Religious Education’s final report 'Religion and Worldviews: The Way Forward' was published in September 2018 (see e-bulletin issue September/October 2018). It has generated much discussion, including through a debate in the House of Lords in December.
Views on the Commission’s recommendations have varied. RE:ONLINE has recently launched a blog series in which a range of guest bloggers make their case in support of the recommendations of the Commission on Religious Education's Final Report. These can be viewed online at: http://www.reonline.org.uk/supporting/re-matters/?term=Commission%20on%20Religious%20Education&taxonomy=news-tags and more are being added throughout April.
INTER FAITH NETWORK FOR THE UK NEWS
Meeting of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum
A meeting of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum was held on 5 February. On the agenda, as well as IFN matters, were:
- Organ donation and faith communities, with a short opening reflection from Dr Natubhai Shah MBE on the theme of blood and organ donation and saving life in the Jain tradition and a presentation from Claire Williment, Head of Transplant Development NHS Blood and Transplant, and Andrea Ttofa, Head of Organ Donation Marketing, NHSBT;
- Faith communities and the UK’s Exit from the European Union, with a presentation from officials from the Department for Exiting the European Union and MHCLG;
- current issues of interest or concern to faith communities; and
- the inter faith engagement of faith communities.
Meeting for National Inter Faith Organisations and Educational and Academic Bodies
Among IFN’s member bodies are inter faith organisations and programmes whose work is carried out at UK or national level or which, while regionally focused, are used by people across the country. They are important resources for people who want to get involved in inter faith activity. A number of these work primarily with particular religious traditions; others work with people of any religion or belief. Some of the organisations have a particular focus for their work, such as peace or education. (UK).
A meeting of these bodies was held on 4 March in London by IFN. On the agenda were: Communicating inter faith activity (with presentations by Ashley Beck, Inter Faith Development Officer, IFN, and Catriona Robertson, Director, Christian Muslim Forum); Issues of current interest and concern, including polarisation of political and communal narratives in the context of exit from the European Union and continued high levels of hate crime; Updates on the various bodies’ current inter faith work; and Youth Inter Faith Engagement.
To find out more about the work of these organisations, you can find their contact details at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/members/list.
Day event for local inter faith practitioners
On 27 March IFN held a day event in Peterborough for local inter faith practitioners from inter faith groups across the UK to share their experiences, discuss issues of common interest and concern, and provide focused learning opportunities about practical aspects of developing successful inter faith programmes. This followed on from similar meetings held in Bradford, Bristol, Coventry, London, Manchester and Sheffield in recent years.
The day was chaired by Jatinder Singh Birdi, Co-Chair of IFN. It opened with reflections on the importance of local inter faith organisations and local authorities working in partnership from Gillian Beasley, Chief Executive of Peterborough Council, with a response from Es Rosen, Co-Chair of the Barnet Multi Faith Forum. The morning also saw presentations about open door days, inter faith walks and ‘pilgrimages’ by Zahraa Ahmed of the Muslim Council of Britain reflecting on the Visit My Mosque Project, and Judith Bruni, Yogesh Joshi and Francoise Murphy of the Watford Interfaith Association focussing on the Association’s annual inter faith pilgrimage. Afternoon presentations followed on: local inter faith organisations using social media and messaging platforms and traditional media, Ashley Beck of IFN; response at both national and local level to terrorism and hate crime, the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, Co-Chair at IFN and Bishop of Bedford , and Chris Turner, Policy Adviser, Faith, Race and Integration, MHCLG.
Discussion groups explored developing local inter faith organisation programmes with impact; open doors and faith trails: creating opportunities for inter faith learning; local inter faith groups connecting with young people (including through schools and colleges); dialogue amid division; making the case for the importance of local inter faith organisations’ work; and working in partnership with other organisations towards shared social goals.
Reports from previous IFN Day Events for Local Inter Faith Practitioners can be found at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/publications.
Inter Faith Week 2019
Inter Faith Week 2019 will take place between Sunday 10 and Sunday 17 November. The Week begins each year on Remembrance Sunday to enable people of different backgrounds to remember together the service of soldiers and civilians of all faiths and beliefs and to reflect on peace.
INTER FAITH PROJECTS, PROGRAMMES AND DEVELOPMENTS
Youth inter faith engagement
A number of local inter faith bodies are developing new youth initiatives. For example, in London, Barnet Multi Faith Forum is developing a Youth Forum and is holding its first meeting about this on 11 April: http://barnetmultifaithforum.org/index.php/event/barnet-youth-forum/
If you are interested in youth inter faith engagement, check out the Inter Faith Network’s publication Connect: a youth inter faith action guide at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/connect.
Faith and the environment
In February, IFN highlighted on social media a range of different ways that faith communities in the UK, with others around the world, are working to combat climate change and on other environmental issues. See, for example, https://twitter.com/IFNetUK/status/1096083884251533312
The Faith for the Climate Network, an inter faith network of 130 faith-based organisations and individuals working on climate change, was among those which took part in the Climate Coalition’s ‘Share the Love’ day on 14 February. Faith organisations are also members of the Coalition: https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/faith-members
For some IFN member bodies, such as the St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, with its Sacred Activist and Spiritual Ecology programmes, environmental issues are at the heart of their work. This is reflected in the stories in the recently published Generation Y, Spirituality and Social Change, edited by the Centre’s Director, Dr Justine Huxley. A video about that can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOe4Fua_QKo.
At local level an example of inter faith engagement on environmental issues is Birmingham Council of Faiths’s Footsteps (Faiths for a low carbon future) project https://footstepsbcf.org.uk/ which is organising events to explore responses to the high carbon present, and take action towards a low carbon future.
Re-imagining Religion and Belief for Public Policy and Practice
Re-imagining Religion and Belief is a new initiative of Goldsmiths, University of London, with the support from the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The programme is designed to improve the effectiveness of central and local government, statutory bodies and service providers in engaging with religion and belief among service users, especially in the areas of welfare, community cohesion and security.
The programme seeks to develop new framework to support policy-making as well as dedicated online resources, an annual conference and a national policy.
Further information is available at https://www.gold.ac.uk/faithsunit/current-projects/reimaginingreligion and from Adam Dinham (a.dinham@gold.ac.uk).
Religious London
Theos is carrying out a research project called ‘Religious London’. Theos notes that existing research suggests that people in London are not just more likely to belong to a particular religion, but to actively participate. The main objective of this new project is to offer evidence–based recommendations to decision makers on accommodating, practically responding to and making the most of religious diversity in London. Further information is available at https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/research/2019/02/19/religious-london.
CCJ and CTBI joint project on anti-Judaism
In March the Council of Christians and Jews and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland held a further joint working meeting in preparation for their planned joint resource for Christians on how to identify and avoid anti-Judaism. Christian and Jewish educators joined them to explore some of the key issues for Christian-Jewish relations, sharing their reflections on how Christians can approach their teaching, liturgy, hymnody, and practice in a way which avoids anti-Judaism and enables a mutually-flourishing relationship between Jews and Christians. There will be another such roundtable meeting in the next few months, following which CCJ and CTBI will work together to produce a resource to be widely shared.
RESOURCES AND STUDY/TRAINING
IFN Annual Review and Bradford event report
IFN’s 2017-18 Annual Review is now available online at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/annual-reviews. Hard copies can be ordered from the IFN office.
The report of IFN’s Day Event for Local Inter Faith Practitioners held in Bradford in October is available on IFN’s website at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/publications.
Untold Stories: Women of Faith
A new resource, developed by Interfaith Scotland and Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network has been launched. Entitled ‘Untold Stories: Women of Faith’ it tells the story of the involvement of women of faith in ‘Suffrage, Peace and Human Rights’. It can be downloaded at https://interfaithscotland.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Women-of-Faith-Document.pdf.
Angels in our City - film
Last year Brighton and Hove Inter Faith Contact Group held a competition to celebrate ‘Angels in Our City’. The competition resulted in various suggestions of what the Angel of Brighton and Hove would look like. The film of the project has now been released and can be found at http://interfaithcontactgroup.com.
Confidently Addressing Radicalisation and Extremism – St Philip’s Centre
The St Phillip’s Centre in Leicester is holding certified one-day silver (level 2) courses on ‘Confidently Addressing Radicalisation and Extremism’ (CARE) for health, social care, local authority, probation, education, prisons, police, youth & community workforces.
Course dates for 2019 are 2 May, 20 June, 12 September and 7 November. For more information, visit https://www.stphilipscentre.co.uk/prevent-care-course-silver-enquiry-form or contact Gail Kenney at gailkenney@stphillipscentre.co.uk.
Faith and Cultural Awareness Training for Staff and Volunteers
Surrey Faith Links offers training sessions to give employers a basic level of knowledge of different faiths in order to have a better understanding of staff/customer needs and requirements. The training sessions are also available for staff in order to give them some knowledge and awareness of faiths and cultures of their colleagues. For more information or to organise a training session, contact Kauser Akhtar, Faith Links Adviser, at 01483790334 or at Kauser.Akhtar@cofeguildford.org.uk.
CALLS FOR INFORMATION, COMPETITIONS, AND NOMINATIONS
National Diversity Awards
Nominations for the 2019 National Diversity Awards are now open. The categories celebrating positive role models and community organisations, among others highlight the theme of race, religion and faith. The closing date for nominations is 31 May.
Nominations can be submitted at http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/.
Interfaith Food Justice Network – Good Food Nation consultation
The Interfaith Food Justice Network is encouraging responses to the Good Food Nation consultation being run by the Scottish Government https://consult.gov.scot/food-and-drink/good-food-nation/consultation/subpage.2016-07-07.1474135251/. http://www.foodcoalition.scot/guide-to-responding.html
JOBS, INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERING
IFN’s website lists job and internship opportunities with a significant inter faith dimension with IFN member organisations at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/vacancies/jobs.
Inter Faith Network for the UK - Volunteers
The Inter Faith Network for the UK currently has volunteering opportunities. For an application form, contact ifnet@interfaith.org.uk.
Interfaith Scotland – Volunteers
Interfaith Scotland currently has volunteering roles available: Office Assistant, Community Development, Schools and Youth Work and Events Management. For more information, visit https://interfaithscotland.org/get-involved/volunteering or email admin@interfaithscotland.org.
Council for Christians and Jews – Jewish Programme Manager and Programming Assistant
The Council of Christians and Jews is seeking to appoint a full-time Jewish Programme Manager to work alongside its Christian Programme Manager. For more information and the full job description, visit www.ccj.org.uk or contact director@ccj.org.uk. Applications close at 9am on Monday 15 April.
CCJ is also seeking to appoint a part-time Programming Assistant. This is a paid internship for 10-14 hours a week. Applications are being considered on a rolling basis.
Faith & Belief Forum – Major Donor Fundraiser
The Faith & Belief Forum is currently recruiting a Major Donor Fundraiser. This is a maternity cover contract (6-12 months). Interviews are being conducted on a rolling basis and the role is to begin as soon as possible.
For more information, visit https://faithbeliefforum.org/career/major-donor-fundraiser.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Windrush compensation scheme
On 3 April the Home Secretary opened a scheme to compensate “members of the Windrush generation who have suffered losses due to their inability to prove their right to live in the UK”. The compensation scheme will provide payments to individuals who suffered losses as a result of not being able to evidence their lawful status in the UK. These could range from a loss of employment or access to housing, benefits, education or NHS healthcare to emotional distress or a deterioration in mental and physical health.
The Scheme is open to those who settled in the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973, and in certain circumstances their children and grandchildren. Additionally, it is open to all nationalities who arrived to live in the UK before 31 December 1988 and are settled here. Claim forms can be downloaded and guidance on completing the application can be found at www.gov.uk/windrush-compensation. Claimants can also request a form to be sent by post by calling our helpline on 0800 678 1925 or via email WindrushCompensationScheme@homeoffice.gov.uk where they can also request a call back if they are overseas.
A series of open events around the country are being held for those affected, as well as for key faith and community leaders. The events will explain the detail of the Scheme and give everyone who is eligible, from any nationality or background, the opportunity to hear about the scheme, and ask questions. The first event is in Brixton, London, on Friday 5 April and will be open to the public. The schedule of future events will be available on Gov.UK shortly.
The M B Reckitt Trust
The M B Reckitt Trust funds projects concerned with social thought and action. It aims to “promote research and activities that evaluate and develop social structures, processes and attitudes in order to release energies for change, from the perspective of Christianity and the other principal faith traditions”.
The Trustees meet once a year in June, and the deadline for applications this year is 27 May. To find out more, visit https://mbreckitttrust.org/.
Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund
Following a period of review Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund is now open for applications for grants of up to £2,000 over 1 year. Its next deadline is 26 July. Further information is at https://www.faithincommunityscotland.org/faith-in-community-scotland-action-fund/. For any queries email andrew@faithincommunityscotland.org or telephone 0141 221 4576.
Funding websites
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) offers advice on fundraising and grants on its Knowhow Nonprofit site at https://knowhownonprofit.org/funding.
Funding Central - http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/default.aspx - is a free website for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in England that provides access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, together with tools and resources for supporting organisations to develop sustainable income strategies appropriate to their needs. Similar websites for funding in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be found at Funding Scotland - http://www.fundingscotland.com/ - Wales Council for Voluntary Action - http://www.wcva.org.uk/funding/search - and Grant Tracker for Northern Ireland - https://www.grant-tracker.org/.
Website and Facebook grants
The Transform Foundation is offering funding to charities to help with new website builds. Grants of £18,000 are available. It is also offering grants towards Facebook advertising of £5,000. For further information and to apply, visit www.transformfoundation.org.uk.
Google and charities
Google is offering a service to registered charities which brings: Google Ad Grants: Free AdWords advertising to promote their websites on Google through keyword targeting; YouTube Nonprofit Programme: Access exclusive resources, features and programs designed to maximise their organisations’ impact on YouTube; and Google Apps for Non-profit: Free version of the Google Apps business productivity suite, including Gmail, Docs, Calendar and more. For further information, visit www.google.co.uk/intl/en/nonprofits/join.
Subsidised fundraising workshops
The Foundation for Social Improvement offers heavily subsidised training programmes for small charities across the UK. The courses cover a wide range of subjects from event planning to leadership. Many of the courses focus on fundraising and sustainability skills in particular.
Further information and dates for upcoming courses in April and May can be found at http://www.thefsi.org/services/training.
SPECIAL WEEKS/DAYS
The Big Lunch will be taking place across the weekend of 1-2 June. Across the years millions of people from different faith backgrounds have joined together to take part through street parties, BBQs, iftars and picnics. https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/thebiglunchhomepage
Refugee Week is taking place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 June. Two conferences are being held in February in Coventry and London to prepare for the Week. http://refugeeweek.org.uk/
The Great Get Together will be taking place across the weekend of 21-23 June. The initiative was set up in 2017 inspired by Jo Cox MP who had been murdered by an extremist the previous year. It encourages communities to come together through activities such as street parties, sports days, BBQs, picnics and coffee mornings. https://www.greatgettogether.org/
Remembering Srebrenica Memorial Week will be held from Sunday 7 to Sunday 14 July. This year’s theme is ‘Bridging the Divide: Confronting Hate’. https://www.srebrenica.org.uk/
Sewa Day will take place on Sunday 6 October. It is an annual day of faith-based social action led by the Hindu community. http://www.sewaday.org/
One World Week will take place from Sunday 20 to Sunday 27 October. This is its 40th anniversary year. The theme for this year is currently being developed and they would welcome ideas. www.oneworldweek.org
Inter Faith Week will take place from Sunday 10 to Sunday 17 November. It is led by the Inter Faith Network for the UK. www.interfaithweek.org
Scottish Interfaith Week will take place from Sunday 10 to Sunday 17 November. Scottish Interfaith Week is led by Interfaith Scotland. www.scottishinterfaithweek.org
Mitzvah Day will take place on Sunday 17 November. It is an annual day of faith-based social action led by the Jewish community. On Mitzvah Day, people give their time, not their money, to make a difference to the community around them. Many events and projects held for the day have an inter faith focus. www.mitzvahday.org.uk/
DIARY DATES
Information on upcoming diary dates can be found at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/events.
More information on events and projects in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales:
Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum: www.niinterfaithforum.org
Interfaith Scotland: www.interfaithscotland.org
Inter-faith Council for Wales: www.interfaithwales.org.uk
SUPPORT THE INTER FAITH NETWORK’S WORK TO INCREASE INTER FAITH UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION
We need your help to ensure that the Inter Faith Network for the UK’s work to promote inter faith understanding and cooperation continues and grows, helping people of all backgrounds to live and work together with mutual respect and shared commitment to the common good.
Gifts at all levels are much valued and make a real difference. You can donate directly at www.interfaith.org.uk/donate or via PayPal.
Donations can also be made by sending a cheque to: The Inter Faith Network for the UK, 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0DH.
Thank you!
REMEMBERING A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND
If you would like to make a gift in memory of a loved one, please get in touch by emailing remember@interfaith.org.uk or call us on 0207 730 0410.
A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
By leaving a gift in your will to the Inter Faith Network for the UK, you can leave a living inheritance to help deepen and strengthen inter faith understanding and cooperation in this country – for now and for the future. If you are thinking about making a will, the best thing to do is to get in touch with a professional will writer, such as a solicitor or advocate; they can help to ensure it is legally correct and that your wishes are met. If you have already made a will, you can still make an addition or amendment in the form of a codicil. If you would like to pledge a gift, please provide our name and address, along with our registered charity number 1068934.
Please get in touch with us if you have any queries.
You can call us on 0207 730 0410 or contact us at remember@interfaith.org.uk
If you have items which you would like considered for inclusion in the next e-bulletin please email these to ifnet@interfaith.org.uk by 17 May with ‘e-bulletin’ in the subject line. Submissions may be edited for length or style.
Disclaimer: Information in this bulletin has been sourced and compiled with care. IFN does not take responsibility for accuracy of information supplied by external organisations and inclusion of items within this e-bulletin does not imply endorsement or validation by IFN of the events, publications or the bodies which have produced these.
