FaithNetEast
FaithNetEast has been funded by the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund and its remit is as a regional infra- structure to mediate information and learning about policy, skills, funding and community development between the regional and the local. This body is not representative but rather acts as and agency to support the region’s faith communities in social and community activity, including engagement with the public sector.
At the same time FaithNetEast fosters a strategic focus, linking up initiatives across the regions where it is thought that networking and co-working might be of benefit, and tying locally based activities in to regional thinking and practices. It is also careful to respect the power and autonomy of faith structures for social action at the neighbourhood level and sees itself as a facilitator of the local as and where it is sought out and welcomed. FaithNetEast also works with the Regional Development Agency to reflect the regional priorities as they relate to faiths.
Thus it has set up ‘specialist support networks’ (mostly facilitated by ICT but also in face to face meetings) for faith groups doing work with migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers, skills improvers and lifelong learners, social enterprise and people wishing to return to employment. It also runs seminars and events to support faiths in their social action.
You gain strength and courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
Eleanor Roosevelt (20th Century)
