IFN Newsletter July/August 2023

Places of Worship security funding schemes

The Home Office has announced that in 2023 and 2024, it will be continuing to provide protective security measures to places of worship in England and Wales under two schemes: Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme; and Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.  (The Jewish community receives funding for schools, synagogues and other community sites through a separate scheme called the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant.)

The schemes provide funding for places of worship and associated faith community centres that are vulnerable to hate crime. Places of worship can apply for physical protective security measures, such as CCTV, secure fencing, and intruder alarms. Applicants to the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme are also able to apply for security guarding services. The deadline for applications is 15 August 2023.  Further information is at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme.

References to the security funding schemes are included in the UK Government’s updated counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, which was published on 18 July

Faith engagement with legislation on migration

The Illegal Migration Act 2023 passed into law on 20 July. 

When this was introduced as a Bill in March, responses of concern were made by some faith community bodies, with the Archbishop of Canterbury proposing two amendments to the Bill as it entered Committee Stage. These were not accepted.  At the start of World Refugee Week in June, 14 faith leaders came together in a film voicing their concerns. This can be found on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website.  

SACREs and Humanists

A High Court decision in May, relating to a case in which the Chair of a local Humanist organisation in Kent was refused a place on the local Standard Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE),  clarified that local authorities cannot exclude Humanist representatives from their SACREs. In July, it was reported that Kent County Council would not appeal the decision. 

https://humanists.uk/2023/07/20/no-appeal-in-landmark-high-court-win-for-humanism-in-re/

Multi faith households

Almost 300,000 households across England and Wales have people of different religions living alongside each other, according to analysis of Census data collected and published for the first time.

The proportion is as high as 1 in 20 in some areas of London. The highest figures in England outside London are Slough, Hertsmere and Oxford (both 3.8 per cent). The highest in Wales is Cardiff (1.8 per cent) and Newport (1 per cent).

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/religion-census-england-wales-b2382668.html 

Faith Friendly Workplaces

A ‘Faith Friendly Workplaces’ initiative was launched in May last year by the Thames Water multi-faith group.  It grew out of a perception that within company Diversity & Inclusion frameworks, faith networks were often badly supported or missing completely, and HR managers felt faith was something that was too complicated and that groups had difficulty defining objectives. Around 20 companies have connected in with this. The Multifaith Centre at the University of Derby is supporting this initiative.  In July, a linked summit on faith in the workplace was held at Number 10 Downing Street, where employers spoke with the Prime Minister’s advisers about encouraging faith friendly policies.  It was announced at that event that a national summit on Faith-and-Belief@Work will be held on 20 November in London.

Faiths and climate change

Faith communities continue to engage with the issue of tackling climate change. At national level this has seen such recent actions as the Church of England announcing divestment from fossil fuels. as well as joining in cross-faith advocacy and initiatives such as those led by Faith for the Climate and the Climate Justice Coalition.

Faith communities are also working to reduce the carbon footprint and improve the  environmental sustainability of their buildings.  A recent feature by Islamic Relief, for example, highlights its Greening our Mosques project. 

Regional and local religious leaders have also been taking forward this agenda – sometimes beyond their areas. The Mayor of Greater Manchester and Christian, Sikh, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim leaders  from the region met the Pope to pledge a commitment to tackle climate change. The group, led by the Bishop of Salford and the Dean of Manchester, had a private audience with Pope Francis at The Vatican. They discussed the work that was already going on in Greater Manchester and committed to take further action.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyjplllpv7ko https://www.cbcew.org.uk/bishop-arnold-presents-interfaith-environment-pledge-to-pope-francis/

Inter Faith Week 2023

#InterFaithWeek will take place across England, Northern Ireland and Wales from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 November.  This will be the 15^th Inter Faith Week.

Each year, the Week makes a significant contribution to inter faith understanding, harmony and cooperation. Thousands take part directly in Inter Faith Week activities, and millions encounter the Week's positive messages through social media.

The three Aims of Inter Faith Week are to:

• Strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels
• Increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
• Increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs

The Week begins on Remembrance Sunday to encourage the remembering together of service of soldiers and civilians of different faiths and beliefs from Britain and the Commonwealth and to reflect on peace.  You can find a special resource about that here.

The Inter Faith Week website www.interfaithweek.org has lots of activity ideas (see the Resources section), with examples drawn from the many successful activities held for the Week to date by faith and belief bodies; local inter faith organisations; community and voluntary organisations; workplaces and staff networks; local authorities; emergency services; SACREs; schools, colleges, universities and youth organisations; chaplaincies; sports organisations; libraries; museums and art galleries; hospitals and hospices; and many others. The website is managed by the Inter Faith Network for the UK which leads on Inter Faith Week, in consultation with the national inter faith linking bodies of Northern Ireland and Wales regarding activities in their nations.

The flyer for the Week can be downloaded from here.   For printed copies, contact interfaithweek@interfaith.org.uk.  Social media assets, such as the Week logo, can be downloaded from https://www.interfaithweek.org/resources/publicity-and-branding, where you can also order the colourful and popular Inter Faith Week badges (bulk rates available).

Scottish Interfaith Week, which was the inspiration for Inter Faith Week, will also be held from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 November.  Running since 2004, it is led by Interfaith Scotland.  It is designed to provide an opportunity for inter faith groups, faith communities, schools, organisations and local communities across the country to celebrate Scotland’s religious diversity by planning events that bring people together to promote dialogue, understanding and co-operation between Scotland’s diverse religious communities and cultures.  Scottish Interfaith Week takes a different theme each year. This year it is ‘Community’. www.scottishinterfaithweek.org

IFN funding

In early July, IFN received notification from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities that, following a review by ministers of funded programmes across the Communities and Integration portfolio, funding was being offered towards IFN’s work for the period from July 2023 to March 2024.This followed a three month period of absence of Government funding and uncertainty about the future of IFN’s work after a notification from Government at the end of March that funding would not continue from April. During that period, many organisations and individuals wrote to the Ministers and their MPs about the importance of the work of the Inter Faith Network for the UK and some contributed to an ongoing urgent Appeal.  The Board of IFN is very grateful to all who have assisted – and continue to assist – towards sustaining IFN’s important work to support the development and deepening of inter faith understanding and cooperation in the UK.

Like many other charities, IFN faces steep challenges in resourcing its work. If you are a newsletter reader who sees the significance of IFN’s contribution to the continued development of a harmonious, diverse UK marked by inter faith understanding and cooperation, please do consider a donation to support IFN’s work.

IFN National Meeting on ‘Educating for Religious Literacy’

IFN’s 2023 National Meeting took place on 12 July on the theme of ‘Educating for Religious Literacy’.  Presentations included: ‘What do we mean by religious literacy & how does RE in schools contribute to this?’, Dr Kathryn Wright, CEO, Culham St Gabriel's Trust ; ‘Faith communities & RE: contributing to religious literacy through SACREs and through educational programmes’, Dr Sheila Gewolb, National Association of SACRES and The Board of Deputies of British Jews; ‘Religious literacy in a digital age: media & online content as routes of transmission and learning’, Dr Jasjit Singh, Assoc Prof University of Leeds and Adviser to Religion Media Centre , with response from Rajnish Kashyap, General Secretary, Hindu Council UK; ‘How may special focus programmes in HE help increase religious literacy – the example of Cambridge Interfaith Programme’, Dr Iona Hine, Communications and Programme Manager, Cambridge-Interfaith Programme, University of Cambridge; ‘Increased religious literacy through opportunities for encounter’, the Revd Gavin Wort, Lead Chaplain, Durham University, Vice-Chair Newcastle Council of Faiths and Chair of County Durham Faith Network; ‘Working effectively for religious literacy in different sectors across society’ by Professor Adam Dinham, Goldsmiths, University of London, with response from Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Wales and Inter Faith Council for Wales; closing reflections from Ashwin Soni, Crawley Inter Faith Network; Tracy Prior, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Dr Harriet Crabtree Executive Director, Inter Faith Network for the UK.

There were also workshops on different aspects of religious literacy: ‘Local inter faith organisations and working for religious literacy’, Rabbi Warren Elf and Margaret Calvert, Faith Network for Manchester, and Tripti Megeri, Bristol Multi-Faith Forum; ‘Religious literacy in the workplace’, with a presentation by Brad McLaughlin, lead for multi faith work at Aviva and Faith Friendly Workplaces; ‘Religious literacy and government’, with opening reflections from Mike Stygal, Inter Faith Officer, Pagan Federation; ‘Inter Faith Week as a platform for encouraging religious literacy’, with presentations from Jay Anderson, Leeds Faiths Forum and Leeds Concord Interfaith Fellowship, IFN Trustee, Es Rosen, Barnet Multi Faith Forum and Dr Peter Rookes, Birmingham Council of Faiths; ‘Media (including social media) and religious literacy’, with opening reflections from Dr Maureen Sier, Director, Interfaith Scotland and member, Scottish Advisory Committee on Religion and Ethics (BBC Scotland); and ‘Religious literacy and skills for inter faith engagement’, with a presentation from Dr Norman Richardson, Honorary Fellow, Stranmillis University College and Northern Ireland Inter Faith Forum.

A report on the day, and videos of plenary presentations, will both be made available in due course.

Meeting of IFN Faith Communities Forum

A meeting of the IFN Faith Communities Forum took place in June.  The meeting focused on discussion of current issues including the publication of the Colin Bloom Report and faith engagement with legislation on migration. There was also discussion of issues of interest and concern, inter faith engagement of faith communities and a number of IFN matters, such as funding, the National Meeting and Inter Faith Week.

Information about the Faith Communities Forum can be found here.

Looking after one another: The safety and security of our faith communities

IFN has recently updated the resource section of its document Looking after one another: The safety and security of our faith communities. This document was originally created in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service; the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; the Equality and Human Rights Commission; the Home Office; the National Fire Chiefs’ Council; and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and the new version likewise.

The document is an important resource for faith and inter faith organisations and for all those working for the safety of communities and their members. 

Inter faith award for IFN Executive Director

On 27 June IFN's Executive Director, Dr Harriet Crabtree, was presented – together with the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Lord Chartres and Sir Stephen Timms – with the Sternberg Interfaith Gold Medallion.  The award, presented by Michael Sternberg, recognises "those who have endeavoured to make an exceptional contribution to the improvement of understanding between the faiths in the United Kingdom, and across the world”.  Dr Crabtree commented that the award reflects the importance of the work of the Inter Faith Network for the UK, for which she has served as Executive Director since 2007.

https://twitter.com/SSternbergCF/status/1673789967112232961

CCJ Campus Leadership programme

Applications are now open for the Council of Christians and Jews Campus Leadership Programme 2023-24. The programme appoints and supports student leaders to create student-led inter faith initiatives which meet the needs of their universities. It is open to students of all faiths and beliefs at any university in the UK.  For more information, email campusleadership@ccj.org.uk.

Religions for Peace EcoPeace Café

Religions for Peace UK Interfaith Youth Network has launched a new EcoPeace Café project. The programme aims to encourage young people to take on learning through active engagement with pressing issues, from the environment and social justice, to the relationship between climate change and human conflict.  Sessions are being held throughout August.  For more information, email Cinde Lee at chair@rfpuk.org.

Bishop Auckland and St Mungo’s museums

A Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland will open in October. It will explore “the ways in which faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain through rarely seen objects, national treasures, personal testimonies and contemporary commissions.” The Faith Museum is described as having been created in collaboration with inter faith leaders, academic specialists, and local communities and will feature more than 250 objects from 50 institutions and private collections across England, Scotland, and Wales as well as the museum’s own collection.  It is part of the wider restoration and redevelopment of The Auckland Project, which has been made possible with a £12.4m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 
https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/bishop-aucklands-faith-museum-announces-opening-date/

Glasgow’s St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, established in 1993,  was threatened with closure after the pandemic due to funding cuts and loss of income. However, it was saved last year after a campaign. It continues its work to promote understanding and respect between people of different faiths and those of none through its exhibits about the world’s religions and through events, from family-friendly activities to talks about culture and religion in Scotland today. It also now has what is described as the first Zen garden in Britain.
https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/st-mungo-museum-of-religious-life-and-art

Brighton inter faith group appointed as Mayor’s chaplain

Brighton’s new Mayor, Cllr Jackie O’Quinn, has appointed the Brighton and Hove Interfaith Contact Group to serve as her Chaplain. Commenting on her decision, the Mayor said: "Ours is a diverse community of many faiths. It seems only logical to use the IFCG, who are so well regarded for their work, to bring me closer to our city’s people, and address the people of Brighton and Hove with representatives from their own communities and other groups that know and work with them so diligently and successfully.” This is not the first time that a Mayor has chosen the IFCG to serve as Chaplain. From 2020 to 2022 then Mayor, Cllr Alan Robins, did so, both during and after the pandemic.

Dagenham faith leaders network

FaithAction is working with London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council to create a network of faith leaders collectively responding to the cost-of-living crisis locally. Initial priorities are to form relationships, signpost and cross-refer to services, and distribute a small hardship fund. Faith leaders based in the borough who wish to join the group (or know someone who might) are invited to contact: andrew.welsby@faithaction.net

Welcoming asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland

Aberdeen Interfaith has been holding ‘You Me and a Cup of Tea’ events across the north-east of Scotland, designed to allow members of the local community, refugees and asylum seekers to meet each other.  The most recent one was held in July for the Moray community. https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/organisers-blown-over-by-success-of-elgin-refugee-and-asyl-319274/

Interfaith Glasgow has recently been fundraising to keep in operation its Weekend Club for refugees which has, since 2015, been working to provide an interfaith response to the social isolation of refugees.  They recently released a new video about this.

Local inter faith anniversaries

Anniversaries are a time when local inter faith groups celebrate their achievements and look to the future.  Altrincham Interfaith Group (AIG) recently marked its 20th Anniversary with celebrations that included a Grand Anniversary Tea party. This began with a welcome from its Chair and a greeting from the Mayor of Trafford and prayers from founding members of the group, and also included addresses from a founding member about how the group began and from its Vice-Chair about the future of AIG. More details about the event and  information about AIG’s work can be found at https://www.altrincham-interfaith.org.uk/.  

Watford Interfaith Association (WIFA) recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of work on the Peace Garden at Cassiobury Park.  Read more about the Peace Garden at the Anniversary event at: http://wifa.org.uk/peacegarden.html  IFN’s Project Assistant was present and a short video interview by him with two of WIFA’s longstanding members can be seen here.

South Asian Heritage Month

South Asian Heritage Month - 18 July to 17 August - while not a faith or inter faith linked month - includes contributions on religion and belief such as events on religion and culture in the workplace. https://twitter.com/SandeepSaib/status/1679799205122961408

Deep connections: Women’s local inter faith initiatives in the UK

Earlier this year IFN published Deep connections: Women’s local inter faith initiatives in the UK.

This illustrated report, based on research by IFN, looks at a wide range of women’s local inter faith initiatives. Drawing on information supplied by these groups and from other sources, it highlights examples of their activity and explores benefits and challenges and demonstrates their considerable significance. The report includes a ‘top tips’ section to help readers who would like to start a similar group or develop an existing one. They are equally applicable, in many cases, to local inter faith activity more generally.

The report can be downloaded at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/deep-connections-womens-local-inter-faith-initiatives-in-the-uk.   A small number of hard copies are available to not for profit organisations for the cost of postage and packing (£4.50).  Enquire to: ifnet@interfaith.org.uk.

Windrush 75th Anniversary toolkit

This year marks 75 years since the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in 1948. A national service to mark this took place on 23 June at Southwark Cathedral and many other events took place around the UK.  The Windrush 75 Network hopes to broaden public recognition of the contribution of the original Windrush Pioneers, as well as increasing public understanding of the history of race and migration to Britain across the decades. It has produced a toolkit offering “evidenced advice on communicating about the 75th anniversary of the Windrush and the types of events that will most appeal to different audiences”. This can be found at:  https://www.windrush75.org/about.  

Virtues of Faith research report

The Good Faith Partnership, in collaboration with the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, has been undertaking a research project on the role of virtues in the life of the UK’s religious communities, surveying over 3,000 people in the UK of various faith and belief backgrounds. The report on the research, launched on 6 July, can be found at https://goodfaith.org.uk/case-studies/virtues-of-faith.  

Creating Brave Spaces resource

Interfaith Glasgow and the West Scotland Branch of the Council of Christians and Jews have partnered on a new resource called ‘Creating Brave Spaces: Learnings from a Jewish-Christian Dialogue on Antisemitism’.  This is the result of an experimental series delivered by the two bodies entitled, ‘Understanding Antisemitism: Difficult Questions in Jewish Christian Dialogue’. A dozen Christian and Jewish participants came together over two and a half years to explore the nature of antisemitism and how it relates to criticism of the state of Israel, and then worked together to compile their collective learning. The resource includes reflections from participants and facilitators on the various methods used, a sample dialogue plan, and a case study and appendices featuring the learnings of the group.  For more information, email info@interfaithglasgow.org.

Remembering Srebrenica faith and inter faith resources

This year Remembering Srebenica put together a number of faith and inter faith resources for groups to use for commemorations during July.  These resources, which can be drawn on for future years, can be found at https://srebrenica.org.uk/resources/faith-resources and Remembering Srebrenica – Faith Resources – Interfaith.

Report on faith groups and social prescribing

In June, FaithAction published a report on faith community involvement in ‘social prescribing’ schemes. The report is based on its work with 25 faith and community organisations involved with social prescribing schemes. It concludes that faith groups can help reach communities that can benefit most and should be better represented in social prescribing initiatives. Further information, and the full report, can be found at https://www.faithaction.net/our-resources/inclusive-social-prescribing/.

Faith Guiding Course

The Faith Encounter programme is running a Faith Guiding Course during the Autumn to assist people in becoming ‘Faith Guides’ who are trained to lead educational visits to their place of worship.  The course is delivered by a team of faith tutors and guest speakers with opportunities for interaction.  Each session will cover three components: learning about your own faith; learning about other faiths and inter faith relations; and acquiring guiding skills to present your own faith.  The deadline for applications is 4 September. For more information, email faithencounterprogramme@gmail.com.

Faith in Black Lives Matter workshops

Faith Network for Manchester and the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation are taking registrations for a November online 4-session series of workshops on Black Lives Matter.  The course fee will be donated to Windrush Defenders.  For more information, visit https://www.interfaithfoundation.org/black-lives-matter-workshop.

Strengthening Faith Institutions training courses

Strengthening Faith Institutions runs free training on a number of topics for places of worship and faith centres.  Courses range from safeguarding to security and fundraising.  For more information, visit https://www.sfitogether.org/training/.

CST SAFE programme security webinars

The SAFE Programme of the Jewish Community Security Trust delivers free security advice on Community Security, Hate Crime, Online Security, Women’s Safety and more.  Details of its upcoming webinars and how to book can be found at SAFE webinar Zoom hub.

Every Story Matters and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is “the independent public inquiry set up to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and learn lessons for the future”. In order to fully understand the impact of the pandemic on the UK population, the Inquiry is inviting the public to share their experiences of the pandemic through ‘Every Story Matters’.  This will “inform the Inquiry’s work by gathering pandemic experiences which can be brought together and represent the whole of the UK, including those seldom heard. The output of Every Story Matters will be a unique, comprehensive account of the UK population’s experiences of the pandemic, to be submitted to the Inquiry’s legal process as evidence.”  The Inquiry is keen to hear from people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Further information, including on how to share your experience, is at https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/every-story-matters/.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry is also gathering people’s experiences.  Stories from Scotland can be shared with the UK Inquiry, the Scottish Inquiry, or both.

Research into challenges and potential in relationships between statutory and religious organisations

The University of Kent is leading a collaboration of universities and other organisations, which are researching Abuse in Religious Contexts. The study, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, focuses on the relationship between the statutory and faith sectors in the safeguarding context.

Through this research they aim to: understand the perceptions and experiences of safeguarding professionals in statutory bodies and those with safeguarding responsibilities in religious organisations when working with each other; and explore to what extent do professionals supporting survivors of abuse in religious settings understand distinctive aspects of working in this context, and how might better collaboration be promoted between safeguarding officers working for statutory agencies and those with whom they liaise in religious organisations.  A questionnaire has been developed which will be open until 30 July on Exploring the Experiences of Working Relationships Between Statutory Safeguarding Professionals and Those with Safeguarding Responsibilities Within Faith Communities (onlinesurveys.ac.uk).

Further information from: research@thirtyoneeight.org or M.Lafferty@chester.ac.uk.

Honours nominations

Each year a number of people receive Honours for services to inter faith work or community cohesion. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is particularly keen to recognise those who have contributed to building integrated communities.  All nominations must be made on an official citation form and nominees should not be informed that they have been nominated.  The deadline for nominations is 14 September.  For more information, email honours@levellingup.gov.uk.

DLUHC is holding an Honours Citation Workshop on 8 August.  To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dluhc-honour-citation-workshop-tickets-670788485417.

London Faith & Belief Community Awards

Nominations are now open for the London Faith & Belief Community Awards which “celebrate the vital work of London’s faith and belief communities by bringing together local heroes and shining a light on their inspirational work, demonstrating how Londoners from all faiths and beliefs can work together for a fairer and more inclusive city”. There are 40 awards of £500.  The nomination categories include ‘Interfaith Relations’.   The awards ceremony will be in central London on 21 November.  The deadline for nominations is 30 August.  For more information, visit https://faithbeliefforum.org/programme/london-faith-belief-community-awards

Waltham Forest Faith & Belief Awards

Nominations are now open for the inaugural Waltham Forest Faith & Belief Awards which will take place on 28 September, held in partnership with Waltham Forest Borough Council, Waltham Forest Faith Communities Forum, and The Faith & Belief Forum. The Awards will recognise the outstanding efforts of local community projects and voluntary initiatives that have made a significant impact on the lives of residents. Across nine categories, the awards celebrate the exceptional work undertaken by these groups in fostering community cohesion and promoting positive change.  Nominations will close on 6 August.  For more information, visit https://faithbeliefforum.org/programme/waltham-forest-faith-belief-awards/.  (Note: Those nominated for the Waltham Forest Awards, will also automatically be nominated for the Faith & Belief Forum’s London-wide awards, London Faith & Belief Community Awards.)

The Inter Faith Network for the UK

Internship

IFN will shortly be advertising for a full time, paid Internship with a focus on Inter Faith Week.  Information will be available at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/vacancies/jobs.  

Honorary Treasurer

IFN invites expressions of interest in the post of Honorary Treasurer.  The work of IFN is overseen by a board of Trustees. All IFN Trustees hold their posts on a voluntary basis. The gift of Trustees’ time and skill is vital to the wellbeing of the organisation’s work and is greatly valued. Among the Trustees are 2 Co-Chairs and 1 Honorary Treasurer.   For the role description and expression of interest form, contact ifnet@interfaith.org.uk.

Volunteers

The Inter Faith Network for the UK currently has an opportunity for online volunteers with good desk research and writing skills who would like to offer 4-8 hours a week to help on different aspects of IFN’s work to promote inter faith understanding and cooperation in the UK.  To express an interest in volunteering, please complete the application form at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/vacancies/volunteering.

St Ethelburga’s Centre - Venue Hire Coordinator

The St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace is currently seeking a Venue Hire Coordinator VHC Job Description.  For more information, visit https://stethelburgas.org/get-involved/vacancies-and-volunteering/ or email tarot@stethelburgas.org.

Women’s Interfaith Network – PR and Marketing Consultant and Interns

The Women’s Interfaith Network (WIN) is currently looking for a freelance PR and Marketing Consultant to assist WIN in building up to its PR and marketing goals. This is a paid position.

WIN is also seeking volunteer interns to work across a number of different and varied roles including event organisation, meeting local groups and research and development. Travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed.

For more information, email info@wominet.org.uk.

Religions for Peace (UK) – Trustees and Admin Assistant to the Chair

Religions for Peace (UK) is seeking an Honorary Secretary https://www.charityjob.co.uk/volunteer-jobs/religions-for-peace-uk/honorary-secretary/898939, an Honorary Treasurer https://www.charityjob.co.uk/volunteer-jobs/religions-for-peace-uk/honorary-treasurer/898928, and an Admin Assistant to the Chair (for more information about the latter, email chair@rfpuk.org).

Faith & Belief Forum – LGBT+Faith project volunteers

The Faith & Belief Forum is currently seeking volunteers for its LGBT+Faith project. The role is to develop its online Facebook LGBT+ interfaith community through research and content creation. Volunteers will also assist with the design, setup, and administration of a new series of events. For more information, visit https://faithbeliefforum.org/programme/office-volunteering.

UK Government Find a Grant programme

The UK Government’s Find a Grant programme currently includes 53 grant schemes and can be found at https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk/.

Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund

The UK Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund, administered via the National Lottery Community Fund, is now open. This funding is for organisations that support people and communities under severe pressure because of the increased cost of living.  Organisations can apply for between £10,000 and £75,000.  To apply, the organisation must already run critical services, such as providing food and emergency supplies, emergency shelters or warm spaces.  The deadline for applications is 16 October. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/community-organisations-cost-of-living-fund.

Funding websites

My Funding Central is a database of grant funding and social investment sources. This service is available to organisations with an annual income below £1m and is free for organisations under £30k. https://www.myfundingcentral.co.uk/ Similar websites for funding in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be found at
Funding Scotland - https://funding.scot/,
Wales Council for Voluntary Action - https://wcva.cymru/funding/ and Grant Tracker for Northern Ireland - https://www.grant-tracker.org/.

The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund

The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund has a small grants programme for UK registered non-profit organisations supporting grassroots projects in diverse and deprived communities. Among its funding themes are ‘social inclusion’, which is described as including “Community and art projects that aim to relieve poverty, loneliness and other social issues or support the welfare of the elderly, veterans and interfaith cohesion.”  The next round of applications will open on 1 August.  https://www.pwcf.org.uk/apply-grant

Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme gives grants that cover the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed buildings in use as places of worship.  The scheme covers repairs to the fabric of the building, along with associated professional fees.  The Grant Scheme is run by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Applicants can now complete and submit their application to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme directly online via the website. http://www.listed-places-of-worship-grant.dcms.gov.uk 

FCC Community Action Fund

The FCC Communities Foundation is offering grants between £2,000 and £100,000 for projects which involve the provision, maintenance or improvement of public amenities including community spaces in places of worship, which are registered charities.   Projects must be based within 10 miles of an eligible FCC Environment waste facility.  The current round closes on 6 September. https://fcccommunitiesfoundation.org.uk/funds/fcc-community-action-fund 

Special weeks/days/months

Faith in Partnership Week, led by FaithAction, will be held from 11 to 15 September.  Further information will be available at https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/faith-in-partnership/.

Visit My Mosque, an initiative of the Muslim Council of Britian, will be taking place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September.  This year’s theme will be ‘Faith, Food and Friends’. https://visitmymosque.org/

National Hate Crime Awareness Week takes place from Saturday 14 October to Saturday 21 October. https://nationalhcaw.uk/  

Week of Prayer for World Peace takes place from Sunday 15 to Sunday 22 October.  This year’s theme is ‘Praying with hope in a troubled world’. https://weekofprayerforworldpeace.co.uk/

Inter Faith Week, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will take place from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 November.  www.interfaithweek.org

Scottish Interfaith Week will be held from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 November.  It is led by Interfaith Scotland.  This year’s theme will be ‘Community’. www.scottishinterfaithweek.org

Mitzvah Day will take place on Sunday 19 November. It is an annual day of faith-based social action led by the Jewish community where people give their time 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

A few examples of forthcoming events are listed below.  Events are also listed on the IFN website at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/events.

Crawley Interfaith Network is holding its next 'Spotlight' event on Thursday 3 August. The theme will be ‘Spotlight on The Friary Church’. After the talk, there will be time for questions & answers, discussion and light refreshment. It is being held at 7.30pm in person at The Friary Church of Saint Francis and Saint Anthony, Friary Way, Crawley RH10 1HR.  For more information, visit https://www.crawleyinter-faith.com/crawley-inter-faith-network-activities/. 

Interfaith Scotland is organising an Interfaith Retreat to Holy Isle, off the coast of Arran, from Thursday 3 August to Sunday 6 August. The retreat is open to people of all faiths and none who are interested in finding out about the lived experience of people of different faiths, philosophies and spiritual practices. There will be opportunities to try out some creative expressions of spirituality such as walking meditation, art, singing together and a reflective walk to the cave of St Molaise and the Tibetan Buddhist deities carved into the rocks. For more information, email aparna@interfaithscotland.org. 

Northampton Inter Faith Forum is holding an Interfaith Picnic on Sunday 6 August.  It is being held from 2pm at Abington Park (between the bandstand and the memorial tree).  Participants are invited to bring their our own food and drink and blankets.  All are welcome.  For more information, email contact@niff.org.uk. 

Glasgow Women of Faith and Community is holding its Summer Picnic on Monday 7 August.  It is being held from 11am onwards at Holyrood Pleasure Gardens, Holyrood Crescent, Glasgow West End, G20 6NQ. Hot food, savoury and sweet, and cold drinks will be provided. Please bring your own hot drink (if you'd like one) and optionally anything you'd like to share with the group. To register to attend, email womenoffaith@hotmail.co.uk.

York Interfaith Group is holding an inter faith picnic on Tuesday 8 August. This will be held from 7pm to 9pm at the Bar Convent, Blossom Street, York. This will be an informal ‘bring and share’ picnic, of vegetarian food so that everyone can feel free to eat what is offered without concern for faith-regulations. Tea, coffee and cold drinks will be provided.  For more information, email yorkinterfaithgroup@gmail.com.

Footsteps (Faiths for a Low Carbon Future) is holding an Interfaith Walk and Visit to Highbury Park on Sunday 20 August.  It is from 2pm to 4pm at Highbury Park, Shutlock Lane, Birmingham B13 8QG, meeting at the car park. It is being held with Friends of the Park who will guide participants through the conservation features of the park, concluding with a visit to the local Orchard Project.  Register at: https://footstepsbcf.org.uk/events/interfaith-walk-visit/

The London Interfaith Fun Run, organised by the Faith & Belief Forum and Maccabi GB, will take place in LB Barnet on Sunday 3 September at the StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, London NW4 1RL.  For more information, visit interfaithrun.org.

Interfaith Wolverhampton is holding its AGM on Tuesday 12 September.  It will be held from 7pm to 8.30pm at St Bartholomew's Church, Penn, Wolverhampton WV4 5JB. Refreshments will be provided from 8pm.  For more information, email admin@ifwton.org.uk. 

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