Workshops: SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS

The workshops, at the end of the day, were well attended and focused on the practical tools for working with organisations in other sectors.

Successful Partnerships:
local authorities engaging with the faith sector.

Led by Rauf Bashir from Building Bridges, Pendle

Rauf Bashir talked about the Pendle Forum of Faiths (PFF) and how they have  representation on the LSP (Local Sector Partnership) Board. 

The group talked about the relevance that one vote on the LSP has on influencing decision-making or whether it is just a talking shop and a momentary goodwill gesture to include a faith representative.

In response, workshop attendees felt that one vote can be crucial and is better than no vote.  Also at the grass roots level it’s about building relationships and not a faith representation issue.  It’s not about policies it’s about affecting positive change.  There has to be openness to discussion on issues that affect interfaith relationships and this has to be an objective discussion.  The interfaith forums structure and executive committee needs constant monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the focus and momentum towards impacting change and shaping policy is happening.  This ensures that the forum remains purposeful and is not just a talking shop, which was the concern of some workshop attendees.

It was asked if interests raised are always reflective of community views. And what mechanisms are in place to ensure that community views are represented.  PFF has a mutually beneficial relationship with the Pendle Neighbourhood Management structure and in turn these both have good links with the LSP.  There is thus, a constant flow of information and feedback that occurs between the representative structures and the community.

It was asked how the LSP view PFF involvement as it is a third sector medium for third sector organisations.  Rauf Bashir said it was the ability and proactiveness of the PFF to grasp the opportunity to be involved on the LSP at the very early stages of the development of the LSP.

An example of faith organisations playing an active relationship with the statutory sector has been DWP using places of worship for the job centre to tackle Worklessness in a region.  Workshop attendees felt this is all about trust with faith communities and maintaining that, even during radical new ventures like assisting job search in a faith building.  It is about educating faith communities that exploring faith literacy/interfaith relationships is not a compromise on faith and that this takes time.

It was mentioned that “Branding” is not an issue and that faith as an agenda should not be pushed all the time.

The group talked about examples of positive faith projects:

• Friends of the Earth involved faith organisations in the climate change agenda as it is a universal issue.  Details of the project can be found at: http://www.birminghamfoe.org.uk/ClimateandFaith/index.htm Telephone: 0121 5513161
• Diversity training and diversity experiences in communities.
• Wiltshire PCT has done some community walks with women from poorer Muslim communities.  These have been organised to combat mild depression and anxiety.  There are approximately 40 women that attend.
• Herefordshire Diocese worked with the LSP and local authorities.  The result has been the development of positive relationships between services.  The area is fortunate in that it boasts a good Local Authority.
• Integration of new migrant faith communities.  This was done in the 1960s.  It involved Muslim and Christian elderly women -they had baked cakes together.
• Involving schools in interfaith discussion and dialogue. 
• Cultural barriers can cause issues as there is unequal representation
• Difference has to be appreciated as all individuals are not the same and all faith organisations (individual capacities) are not the same.
• Building on and attaining Trust is central to the success of organisations
• The involvement of all faiths and those of no faith in sharing each other’s poetry and story telling.  This was bringing people together on common interest - it was done at the Preston forum of faiths.
• Through sport.  A very positive example being the Luxemburg interfaith relay marathon.

Parting thoughts were Victory is: Value your Volunteers