Daniel Singleton, FaithAction
Welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of continuing dialogue across localities.
Introduced Zöe Franklin, new Chair of the APPG on Faith & Society.
Set context for the discussion: Interfaith Week activities, covenant updates, and partnership opportunities.
Zöe Franklin MP, Chair of APPG
Introduced herself as:
- MP for Guildford
- Former local councillor
- Liberal Democrat spokesperson for local government
- Practising Christian
Shared her journey into chairing the APPG, inspired by Faith Covenant research and the work of FaithAction.
Outlined her aims:
- Attend at least 30 minutes of each Forum meeting.
- Support the growth of Faith Covenant adoption across local authorities.
- Promote Covenant use during local government reorganisation and creation of new unitary / mayoral authorities.
Encouraged areas without a covenant to explore adoption, and those with covenants to continue sharing best practice.
Community Connections: How are faith groups and local authorities working with their communities?
Tim Jones, Brighton & Hove
Wide range of Interfaith Week events were held in Brighton including:
- Faith literacy events
- Open worship spaces
- Fellowship services
- Open day at the mosque affected by a recent attack (strong community and civic support)
Faith groups have also seen engagement with council departments expanded via Faith Covenant:
- Major success with fostering services which saw significant growth in faith-based fosterers.
- New engagement with the Family Hubs team.
Brighton have been supporting the neighbouring Adur District with Covenant discussions.
Brighton and Hove Faith in Action have also launched the “Faith in Our City” podcast promoting civic-faith dialogue.
Reynold Rosenberg, Hertfordshire
Interfaith Week activities in Hertfordshire included:
- Youth-focused webinar on faith and young people’s perspectives
- Multi-faith fair at St. Albans Cathedral
- Community shared supper, which is a long-established tradition
Welwyn Hatfield also re-signed the Faith Covenant, as they wanted to cement engagement with the council team. The new Mayor signed, and additional faith groups were added. There is now ongoing work to strengthen implementation.
Carolyn Neogi, Guildford
Guildford held a multi-faith service with seven faith speakers and two mayors.
Surrey-wide events included:
- Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum gala
- “Working People of Faith” conversations
- Visits to local synagogues and mosque open day.
Managed sensitive interfaith environment given current global tensions.
Noted strong Muslim participation from multiple traditions (Sunni, Ahmadiyya, local prayer group).
Barbara Hudson Owen, Basingstoke & Deane
Basingstoke & Deane held an annual interfaith meal as main Interfaith Week activity.
Basingstoke & Deane do not have a Faith Covenant in place yet, so wanted to learn more and explore next steps.
Kathy Pope, Cornwall
Cornwall marked the 1st anniversary of the their Faith Covenant at County Hall.
Held a “marketplace” event for elected members and communities; many councillors unaware of covenant benefits.
Cornwall has a unique rural context:
- Predominantly Christian population
- Small but active minority faith groups
Use of Cornwall’s “Peace Field” for outdoor interfaith learning and events.
Developing a Centre for Faith & Peace, beginning with a wooden gazebo.
Active education programme and Holocaust Memorial Day planning.
Simon Phillips, Leeds
Light for Leeds interfaith marketplace at Kirkstall Abbey.
Several mosques opened their doors.
Noted increasing value of virtual engagement:
- Safeguarding toolkit launched during Interfaith Week.
- New city-wide interfaith WhatsApp group (≈60 members).
He asked a question about the interaction between Faith Covenant and new Civil Society Covenant and whether the Civil Society Covenant would end up consuming aspects of the Faith Covenant or could they co-exist.
Daniel Singleton provided clarification on coexistence and complementarity of the two having been part of the steering committee for the Civil Society Covenant.
Paul Woodman, Southampton
Shared concerns over community tensions:
- Jewish groups not publicising events for safety reasons.
- Muslim participants reporting fear and hostility locally.
Noted that the national protests are creating a hostile atmosphere for ethnic minority residents.
Positive news:
- New “One Body Southampton” collective launched.
- Academic research on food provision and refugee support available via Prof. Keith Brown.
Steve Botham, West Midlands Combined Authority
Working to strengthen covenant impact across the region.
Noted challenges of “talking shops” and desire for more outcomes-driven partnership.
Emphasis on:
- Mapping and sharing best practice
- Using faith communities as partners in regional wellbeing and “Living Well” initiatives
- Building collaboration and reducing duplicated efforts.
Hilary Barber, Calderdale
Highlighted importance of faith collaboration on climate action.
Director of the Climate Commission emphasised faith groups as essential partners in public engagement.
Encouraged grounding interfaith work in practical joint initiatives.
The Haley Stewart Evaluation Project
Andrew Welsby, FaithAction
Provided overview of the national evaluation of the Faith Covenant:
- Project is being funded by the Haley Stewart Trust and FaithAction and the APPG on Faith and Society are partnering with Coventry University.
- Objectives:
- Evaluate covenant effectiveness
- Identify implementation models
- Map best practice
- Provide evidence for policymakers
- Produce national toolkits and workshops
- Timeline:
- Interviews underway with local authorities and faith groups
- Parliamentary launch of findings in the new year
- Any Covenant areas that wish to be involved are more than welcome.
Challenges & Opportunities
Key themes raised by participants:
Maintaining Momentum in Faith Covenant Work
Challenge of overlapping forums and repetition of same participants within work – how do we encourage new voices to be involved in our work? (Leeds, Southwark).
Need for practical outcomes rather than symbolic meetings.
Youth Engagement
Difficulties engaging young people, who may feel disconnected from traditional religion.
Hertfordshire webinar with youth speakers seen as a model.
Need for practical, meaningful involvement rather than formal meetings.
Inclusion of Smaller / Minority Faiths
Concerns from Buddhist and other non-Abrahamic groups about not being invited to consultations.
Need for covenants to create equal pathways of contact.
Safety & Cohesion
Increase in fear and community tensions reported (notably Southampton).
Need for covenants to act as stabilising partnerships.
Implementation Examples
Birmingham: Safeguarding training for places of worship delivered evenings/weekends to meet real needs.
Template policy resources provided to support smaller faith groups.
Close of the meeting
Daniel Singleton thanked participants for their contributions.