Top Tips and words of Wisdom - developing women’s local inter faith initiatives in the UK
In 2023, IFN published Deep Connections: Women’s local inter faith initiatives in the UK. The project consulted with a range of local women's inter faith initiatives.
Back to main 'Women and inter faith engagement' page | Deep connections: women's local inter faith initiatives in the UK report
As part of this, respondents were invited to add any ‘top tips, and ‘words of wisdom’ that they thought might inspire and assist others developing women’s local inter faith initiatives. Many responded – each offered their thoughts in their own style and out of their initiative’s particular context. The responses were wide-ranging and sometimes included several thoughts. They are presented here in alphabetical order of the initiative:
BIRMINGHAM WOMEN’S PEACE GROUP
"Start small, try to be consistent, create an environment / safe space where women can share their heart and their stories / life experience in confidence and trust. From the heart, and not simply an intellectual exercise. Try to be genuinely inclusive, such that we can learn from everyone, and discover our common humanity and shared values. To truly believe that God works through people of all faiths, with no conversion agenda. The power of friendship can take away all fear and prejudice towards someone from another religion, race, etc. Freeing our hearts so that we become genuinely open to one another."
"Combining theory (values) and practice (of those values). Bringing older and younger generations together. Bringing women of different social status together in the same meetings."
BRENT MULTI FAITH FORUM CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS PROJECT
"Be clear on the intention and aims of the project and ensure these are embedded into and throughout the project."
"Make goals measurable and create a system for documenting and evaluating impact."
"Engage a diverse group of stakeholders, including members of the community the project aims to serve."
"Make sure that the project is accessible and welcoming to all members of the community it aims to serve."
"Partner with existing organisations or resources that can provide additional support or expertise."
"Continuously communicate with stakeholders and the community. Listen and be prepared to make adaptations."
"Be prepared for flexibility when things don’t go as planned – find creative alternatives and learn from the ups and downs."
"Most importantly embrace and enjoy the process of bringing your project to life."
"It takes persistence and patience – don’t give up!"
"Co-creation; the group co-created a poem and had shared pride in the completed poem."
BUILDING BRIDGES IN BURNLEY, SHARE FAITH, SHARE FOOD
"Our 4 F’s – Fun, Friendship, Food and Faith. We attempt that all these elements happen when we meet."
CALDERDALE WOMEN’S INTERFAITH GROUP
"Keep an eye on what is going on locally and work in partnership with other community groups."
"Organise what you enjoy and are interested in. It will bring joy to others."
CANTERBURY WOMEN OF FAITH
"Welcome and hospitality at a grass roots level, respecting all who come along.”
"[A]lways engage in hospitality, eg bringing and sharing a small dish of vegetarian food."
"Be realistic with expectations. Grow the contacts and increase the communication network."
CHRISTIAN MUSLIM WOMEN PRAY FOR PEACE (NEWCASTLE)
"Ensure there are enough refreshments."
COFFEE ‘N’ LAUGHS
"Celebrate each other’s festivals."
"Food, food and more food!"
"Simple craftwork allowing for conversation."
"Unspoken ground rules about respect being maintained by the group leaders, and making everything informal."
EAST MEETS WEST – WOMEN TOGETHER IN LANCASTER
"Welcome people by name when they come to a meeting. Give all the opportunity to showcase their home country through preparing lunch for the group. Give equal importance to religious celebrations/practices from different faith traditions and show openness eg ‘Experiencing Ramadan’ enjoying Christmas lunch, putting a name on Christmas/Eid presents" - A tip from their Across Generations work with women asylum seekers
"Make love your aim and you won’t go far wrong! Love with full acceptance, knowing that an embrace and a smile communicate beyond the scope of language. If the atmosphere is right women will come and their children will feel at home. Differences melt away. Even those from countries at war with one another discover an unforced unity. The solidarity between women has massive potential strength to inspire and change communities and individuals."
FINSBURY PARK SISTERS
"It feels important to meet informally in a place that feels comfortable to all, to share food and conversation and to be able to chat if we meet in the street; and the visits to mosques, museums, GLA etc feel important in their own right – it is good that people see us together – and good that we travel together on tubes/buses."
"Just start – small if necessary and keep trying – and talking together"
FAITH NETWORK FOR MANCHESTER – WOMEN OF FAITH GROUP
"Be yourself. Be confident. Create a safe environment to make women feel comfortable Make sure all voices are heard. Ensure equality."
FODIP – WOMEN’S SPORTS PROGRAMME
"…[F]inding a safe, secure private space for women to feel comfortable and confident; using good trainers/leaders who are able to support the women; welcome all women keen and encourage physical activity; and work with the group to ensure they are involved with decisions and travel of group/programme."
GHAR SE GHAR/GHAR SE GHAR FRIENDS
"Be open to all sorts of ideas and contributions. Dig deep and find out what skills people have – everyone can do something that can be valued and shared. Don’t assume people won’t engage in something because of their faith & culture or just accept what those who set themselves up to be the ‘spokesperson’ says. People are individuals and have their own ideas and feelings about what they will get involved in. Do lots of things together and enjoy them."
LINCOLNSHIRE FAITH COUNCIL - WOMEN OF THE WORLD/COSY CRAFTERS
"…[T]hat it is great to have a time to come together with other women to just talk."
WINDSOR AND MAIDENHEAD COMMUNITY FORUM (WAMCF) WOMEN’S GROUP
"…[R]egular speakers on shared concerns; eating and drinking a lot together and enjoying each others’ company; creating something – in this case a wall hanging of 24 patchwork squares which reflect faiths and is displayed publicly."
WOKING PEOPLE OF FAITH LADIES’ COFFEE MORNINGS
"Rather do it than don’t do it!"
WOMEN’S INTERFAITH COFFEE EVENING, READING
"…[T]ime to share … stories."
WOMEN’S INTERFAITH FORUM SHEFFIELD
"Work from the bottom and not the top down. Start with the women and grow the initiatives."
"Food! Food is essential"
"Think about layout and space. We set it up so women sit round roundtables and have conversation."
WOMEN’S INTERFAITH UNDERSTANDING GROUP, LEICESTER
"Regularity is important to build confidence in attenders"
"It is important to enjoy the meeting and also to learn something. Combining a shared meal and a talk works well."
"[E]ach member bringing a dish to share. This breaks barriers and helps logistically as food preparation is shared."
"General words of encouragement and to build a local group and then network with others."
WOMEN TOGETHER, ESSEX
"Everyone brings a dish to share and we eat together. This brings in more people. Everyone showcases a talent they have by leading the art or craft activity on each session or participating in a talent competition."
"Women Power Empowers."
WOMEN TOGETHER WOLVERHAMPTON
"Join a group."
