Guidance
- Big Society and Faith Communities
- Public Sector Tendering
- IFN AGM and National Meeting
- Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?
- Help with the digital TV switchover
- Playtime Support for Toddler Group Leaders
- Are you victim of racial discrimination or harassment?
- 'Women-friendly' mosques directory launched
- New Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government
- New study programmes from the Woolf Institute of Abrahamic Faiths
- Charity Commission good practice guide for faith-based organisations
- Bassac launches new collaboration guide
- i-Volunteer - a new social network
- English Heritage - Help for region’s historic places of worship
- Media Trust run a programme of seminars
- Urban Forum - case studies for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
- Counter Terrorism in Places of Worship
- Charity Commission good practice guide for faith-based organisations
- Harassment suffered by Muslims
- Advice Portal for ethnic professionals and employers
- New Community Engagement Strategy consultation
- Faith Friendly, practical quality assurance system
- Refugee Council On-Line Information Service
- The Economic Case for Cohesion
- Faith and governance: The Charity Commission report for all faith-based charities
- 2007-08 Citizenship Survey: Community cohestion topic report
- You are invited to participate in FaithXchange
- The Diocese of Hereford has launched a Toolkit - A Community Development Approach to the Use of Church Buildings
- Duty to Promote Democracy: Equality impact assessment
- Stronger Together (NGLN report)
- Serco Welfare to Work
- The Refugee Integration and Employment Service is looking for volunteers and mentors in the region
- The Cambridge Community Knowldege Exchange: new iniative from University of Cambridge
- Interfaith Facilitators Online Community
- Churches and Faith Buildings: Realising the potential
- A Future for Community Development
- Making the Most of Your Money
- English Heritage - Support Officers
- Voice4Change and Third Sector
Big Society and Faith Communities
Faith communities and inter faith bodies around the UK are beginning to explore the Government’s Big Society agenda.
On 16 July, together with the Chief Rabbi, the Archbishop of Westminster and leaders of other faiths, the Archbishop of
Canterbury hosted a discussion with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, and
CLG’s Minister for Decentralisation, Greg Clark on the
Government's Big Society agenda. The Prime Minister made a
speech in Liverpool on 19 July on the Big Society.
Public Sector Tendering
If you are based anywhere in Cambridgeshire other than Peterborough, you can get FREE assistance from the Greater
Cambridge Partnership on how to prepare for and bid for public sector tenders.
email Bill Hensley for further information or to make an appointment.
IFN AGM and National Meeting
The Inter Faith Network held its AGM and National Meeting in London on 8 July. At the AGM Officers and Executive
Committee members for 2010-11 were elected. Co-Chairs are Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern and Dr Manazir Ahsan MBE.
Vice-Chairs are Dr Girdari Bhan; Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala; Dr Indarjit Singh CBE; and Mr Vivian Wineman. The
National Meeting was on the theme of ‘Shaping our shared society: the key role of local inter faith organisations’
with a wide range of speakers of different faiths from local, regional and national bodies and included presentations
on how national faith communities can support and encourage local work. Andrew Stunell MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
of State in the Department of Communities and Local Government was among the speakers. See
Keeping Faith in the Big Society.
A full report of the Meeting is available from the IFN office. To receive a copy, please email
ifnet@interfaith.org.uk.
Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?
The Government is taking steps to implement the core provisions of the Equality Act 2010 with effect from 1 October,
(as the previous Government had planned), but decisions have not yet been taken about some of the Act’s provisions,
including those on public duties. Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? is a series of summary guides and
‘Quick Start’ guides to the key changes in the law, produced by the Government Equalities Office in partnership with
the British Chambers of Commerce, Citizens Advice and the Equality and Diversity Forum, to support implementation of the
Act. These guides set out clearly what the legislation will mean for business, the public sector, the voluntary sector
and the public, aiming to help people understand their new responsibilities and rights. The guides can be downloaded
from here.
Help with the digital TV switchover
The Anglia TV Region traditional, analogue signal is being switched off from March 2011. The Switchover
Help Scheme offers practical help to people who may face barriers in switching to digital TV due to age or infirmity.
If you are not sure if you are eligible for help, call free on 0800 408 5900 or email
info@helpscheme.co.uk.
If your organisation can help spread the word, the scheme can provide free tailored training for any volunteers
who would like to “champion” the Help Scheme; literature and material for you to distribute; organise local Help Scheme
events or attend as a speaker at any event you may have planned or are planning. If you are interested in the Scheme
in an organisational capacity please contact Sarah Barrett, Regional Manager on 07534 099 692 or email
sarah.barrett@eaga.com.
Playtime Support for Toddler Group Leaders
If you are one of many faith groups that run toddler groups your group leaders can benefit from being part of the
National Playtime Network. Playtime is FREE and supports toddler group leaders through conferences; newsletters;
web resources; ‘The Good Practice Guide’. Sign up for the free email newsletter at
www.engagetoday.org.uk/playtime-sign-up.
Are you victim of racial discrimination or harassment?
Cambridge Racial Incident Support Project CRISP provides free confidential help and advice, advocacy and support to individuals and
families who are experiencing or have experienced discrimination at work; from employers; getting access to services such as housing,
healthcare, education or social welfare; by the police, courts or prison service;
by other organisations; by members of the public. Contact CRISP, 62-64 Victoria Road, Cambridge, CB4 3DU, 01223 462615
or email www.cecf.co.uk
'Women-friendly' mosques directory launched
Faith Matters have launched a directory of the 100 most "women-friendly" mosques in England. Fifty mosques were found to meet
all five of the requirements set out by inter faith organisation Faith Matters, while a further fifty are listed as meeting four of the criteria:
For more details visit the Faith Matters website
New Ministers in the Department for Communities and Local Government
The new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government is Rt Hon Eric Pickles, Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar.
Two CLG Ministers have roles which are likely to have particular relevance to the concerns of faith and inter faith bodies,
Greg Clark, Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells, becomes Minister of State for Decentralisation, Big Society and Planning Policy and
Andrew Stunell OBE, Liberal Democrat MP for Hazel Grove, has been appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for
community cohesion (including the future of Prevent); race equality; building regulations; Big Society, housing and
regeneration. More details on the new CLG Ministers can be found by visiting
the CLG website
New study programmes from the Woolf Institute of Abrahamic Faiths
The Woolf Institute, in conjunction with the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Continuing Education, is running a certificate
programme in Islam, Judaism and Muslim-Jewish Relations, which consists of three independent modules.
The Institute is also offering an Introduction to the Study of Jews, Christians and Muslims in Contemporary Europe
which begins with an induction week from 4 to 8 October 2010.
For further information please visit:
www.woolf.cam.ac.uk/jcme/index.php
Charity Commission good practice guide for faith-based organisations
The Charity Commission has published Faith in Good Governance, a guide to good practice for the 30,000 faith based organisations in the third sector.
The guidance, released by the Commission’s Faith and Social Cohesion Unit, will help trustees, staff and volunteers of faith-based charities,
including places of worship, comply with charity law, and equip them to work better, whilst recognising that maintenance of their faith-identity,
core aims and mission is key. A full copy of Faith in Good Governance can be downloaded by
clicking here
Bassac launches new collaboration guide
Bassac, the membership body for community organisations, has launched a guide to managing collaboration in the third sector.
It offers a step-by-step approach to helping people involved in supporting collaborative working, providing resources, examples of
good practice and a range of case studies. Available online, together with other resources,
please click here
i-volunteer
i-volunteer is a new social network for people who love everything and anything to do with volunteering. To find out more please visit
www.i-volunteer.org.uk
English Heritage - Help for region’s historic places of worship
English Heritage brings faiths and denominations together to help congregations look after listed churches, chapels, synagogues,
meeting houses, gurdwaras, temples and mosques, and is embarking on the most ambitious attempt yet to assess the condition of the region’s
historic places of worship.
A major survey has been undertaken as part of English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk programme to give a
unique insight into the condition of the nation’s listed religious heritage and to find out how many buildings are at
serious risk of decay. The results can be viewed
here. To ensure you receive a practical guide to looking after a listed place of worship, sign up at
www.english-heritage.org.uk/powar
Media Trust run a programme of seminars
Media Trust run a programme of seminars, workshops and events to offer a comprehensive marketing, communications, digital and media toolkit.
Training is informed by a recently produced report on the marketing and communications needs of charities, voluntary
and community organisations. Information on training and a copy of the report can be found on the website:
www.mediatrust.org
Urban Forum - case studies
Urban Forum is producing a series of case studies for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on how public bodies - councils,
schools, PCTs, the police etc - are meaningfully involving marginalised groups in policy-making. They are keen to hear of any examples
you think they should know about. To find out more or suggest possible case studies email
rachel@urbanforum.org.uk
Counter Terrorism in Places of Worship
The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) has researched and produced a guide intended to give protective security
advice to those who are responsible for security in places of worship. Whilst the document concentrates on measures to counter terrorism,
it is hoped that these will also work against other threats, such as theft, burglary and arson (which remain the greatest threats to places of worship).
A copy of the guide can be downloaded from
www.nactso.gov.uk/placesofworship.php
Charity Commission good practice guide for faith-based organisations
The Charity Commission has published Faith in Good Governance, a guide to good practice for the 30,000 faith-based organisations
in the third sector. The guidance, released by the Commission’s Faith and Social Cohesion Unit, will help trustees, staff and volunteers
of faith-based charities, including places of worship, comply with charity law, and equip them to work better, whilst recognising that
maintenance of their faith-identity, core aims and mission is key. A full copy of Faith in Good Governance can be downloaded from
The Charity Commission's website
Harrassment suffered by Muslims
Equality and Diversity Forum is currently researching specific examples of harassment suffered by Muslims in public
sector services and closed environments (i.e. in a range of settings from prisons, mental health, residential/community care,
education and hospital services). If anyone has any examples that they know of, or have documents available in their
libraries or names of regional papers that hold this kind of information please contact EDF directly on
info@edf.org.uk
Advice Portal for ethnic professionals and employers
Diverse Ethics Ltd has launched a new web portal to help Britain find new ways out of the recession, through tapping
into the strength and creativity of its ethnic professionals. The portal encourages employers to utilise this resource,
and professionals to bring their cultural and ethical values to the workplace. The portal contains advice, interviews
and resources. Diverse Ethics Ltd. is a Social Enterprise, based in Colchester, Essex. The portal can be accessed at:
www.diverseethics.com.
New Community Engagement Strategy consultation
New Community Engagement Strategy consultation by Cambridgeshire County Council, intend to ensure that people in
Cambridgeshire have the skills and confidence to take part in decision making, and to be able to shape their
local area and the services they receive, whether they live in a rural community, a market town or a city. The public
consultation on the draft strategy closed on 24 November 2009. Those living and working in Cambridgeshire were
invited to take part. Information about the results of the consultation - and the draft documents can be seen by
visiting the Cambridgeshire County Council website:
click here.
Faith Friendly, practical quality assurance system
Faithbased Regeneration Network will shortly be running a pilot of a faith-friendly, practical quality assurance system
that will be useful in both developing their organisations and also in demonstrating their value to the world outside.
FbRN is currently inviting faith-based groups to be one of six pilot organisations. To act as a pilot please contact them
on 020 7471 6791 or
valr@fbrn.org.uk
Refugee Council On-Line Information Service
An on-line resource containing comprehensive and regularly updated information on the asylum process, support and entitlement. It is available by subscription only and is aimed at anyone working with refugees or those looking to gain knowledge about the sector. Easy to use, authoritative and up-to-date, it contains information on the entire asylum process from beginning to end. Annual subscription fees 2009:
To subscribe, email: subscriptions@refugeecouncil.org.uk
The Economic Case for Cohesion
This Communities and Local Government (CLG) study looks at the available evidence on the economic
benefits of building cohesion. It reviews evidence for crime, fear of crime, education, employment,
health and economic investment. For further information visit the CLG website:
click here
Faith and governance
The Charity Commission has published a report for all faith-based charities to
help them establish strong trustee bodies and good practice. You can access the report on the Charity Commission's website by
clicking here
2007-08 Citizenship Survey: Community cohestion topic report
This CLG report provides an in-depth examination of community cohesion, attitudes towards the
neighbourhood and the local area, belonging to the neighbourhood, fear of crime, social networks and
peoples' interactions with people from different backgrounds. For further information visit the CLG website:
click here
You are invited to participate in FaithXchange
FaithXchange is a new network for researchers, research-minded practitioners and policy makers working in the area of
‘young people and faith-based social action’. The network is hosted by the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths
College in partnership with DeMontfort University. More information including details of a forthcoming meeting at
Derby Multifaith Centre see:
www.fbrn.org.uk./news/you-are-invited-participate-faithxchange
The Diocese of Hereford has launched a Toolkit - A Community Development Approach to the Use of Church Buildings
The Toolkit will take churches through the whole process of opening up their church for wider community use. Most of the material is of
equal relevance to this region and any form of community building both in a rural or urban setting. The Toolkit can be downloaded from the
Diocese of Hereford website
by clicking here
Duty to Promote Democracy: Equality impact assessment
Local authorities have a duty to promote understanding of local governance systems and
opportunities for members of the public to be involved. This CLG review assesses the impact this
policy will have on different equality groups. For further information visit the CLG website:
click here
Stronger Together
This New Local Government Network (NLGN) report suggests that the Government’s current scheme
on tackling extremism is alienating Muslim communities and should be reviewed. NLGN is calling for the
£45million scheme to focus on tackling all extremism – including far-right – rather than just focusing on
Islamic extremism.
For further information visit the NGLN website:
click here
Serco Welfare to Work
Would like to hear from organisations interested in partnership working to deliver New Deal Phase 2,
the government’s new flagship employment initiative to support long-term unemployed people into decent,
sustainable work. Community-based organisations will be subcontracted to deliver core elements of the programme,
supporting jobseekers to access and sustain employment, or become part of a network of Specialist Support Providers
to provide additional services to jobseekers with complex needs. For more information, please contact
Serco’s regional partnership manager, Chris Harrison: 07738 896447 or
Christopher.harrison@serco.com
The Refugee Integration and Employment Service is looking for volunteers and mentors in the region
The REIS is looking for volunteers and mentors in the region, to help new refugees integrate into the locality.
For more information contact Tom Daly, Volunteer Coordinator RIES, Refugee Council Eastern Region,
Ipswich IP1 1HT, 01473 297908,
thomas.daly@refugeecouncil.org.uk
The Cambridge Community Knowledge Exchange
The Cambridge Community Knowledge Exchange is a new initiative from the University of Cambridge which provides free access
to research for voluntary and community sector organisations. Voluntary and community sector organisations can gain access to
research services free of charge whilst students have the opportunity to apply academic skills in the community. They accept requests
for research on all subjects - including management and strategic planning, policy and legal research, information technology,
community health issues, local history and environmental issues as well as a broad range of social issues.
If you are a VCS organisation with a research need? Contact via email:
ccke@admin.cam.ac.uk
or tel: 01223 764069 or visit:
www.cam.ac.uk/ccke
Interfaith Facilitators Online Community
St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace has created an online community
for Interfaith Facilitators. It is easy to sign up, you can then start to give and receive information.
It is also possible to arrange the settings so that you don’t get more mail than you want to receive. Visit:
interfaithfacilitators.ning.com
Churches and Faith Buildings: Realising the potential
A new joint publication from the Government and the Church of England to help faith groups
identify sources of funding to make their buildings more sustainable, by enhancing the facilities
and services they offer to local communities. It also discusses faith and local authority structures
like LSPs (local strategic partnerships), and regional bodies, and the reluctance of some funders to fund
faith-based projects. 'Churches and Faith Buildings: Realising the Potential' can be downloaded at
www.culture.gov.uk/
reference_library/publications/5991.aspx
A Future for Community Development
CDF's new report examines how the community development field and profession is likely to be affected by the recession, and after a general election.
The paper explores where the opportunities for community development may lie in the coming years, examining the most likely scenarios for 2010,
particularly from a policy and economic perspective.
To read the report, visit www.cdf.org.uk.
For more information, contact Tom Archer at tom.archer@cdf.org.uk
Making the Most of Your Money
The new Consumer Financial Education Body (CFEB), recently created by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the UK’s financial regulator,
is offering VCS organisations FREE financial education programmes to help manage money in the present economic climate. Presentations are
available to groups of a minimum of 20 staff or volunteers and CFEB have confirmed that groups may wish to liaise to share an event if providing
sufficient numbers are a difficulty.
For details or to book a place please email
mike.bailey@moneymadeclear.org.uk
CFEB also has help available at
www.moneymadeclear.org.uk which provides useful information for young adults and new parents.
English Heritage - Support Officers
EH would like to see the task of looking after historic places of worship made easier by the wider provision of ‘Support Officers’ who can work
alongside congregations and give them access to a wide range of skills and advice. They can offer funding for partner organisations to employ
Support Officers on 3-year contracts.
The work of each individual Support Officer would be tailored to local needs, but in general they will:
Expressions of interest can be made to the East of England English Heritage Regional Office. English Heritage, Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue Cambridge CB2 8BU, 01223 582700 or email eastofengland@english-heritage.org.uk
Voice4Change and Third Sector
As part of a drive to help civic society organisations make better strategic decisions, Third Sector Foresight have been
working in a partnership with Voice 4 Change England to link insight, future trends and strategic planning with their expert
knowledge on black and minority ethnic issues. The partnership is funded by Capacitybuilders and has provided new insights about
the trends and forces impacting on BME organisations and those they support which are available from
www.3sf.org.uk.
Training workshops for support organisations, and free pocket guides exploring changing funding, volunteering, population changes
and other crucial topics are also available.
