A Covenant for Engagement » FaithAction [ ![FaithAction logo](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/themes/faithaction-child/img/fa-logo-new-2.png) ](https://www.faithaction.net/) Faith—too significant to ignore! # A Covenant for Engagement Posted on [December 12, 2014](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/2014/12/12/covenant-engagement/ "2:48 pm") in category [Blog](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/) by [Daniel Singleton](https://www.faithaction.net/author/daniel-singleton/ "View all posts by Daniel Singleton") ![](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_05212.jpg) 11 December 2014 was a great day for FaithAction and the [All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Faith and Society](http://www.faithandsociety.org). Birmingham City Council and faith communities signed the Covenant which the APPG has proposed for faith and local commissioners. Birmingham is the first civil authority to adopt this agreement with faith and, as the largest local authority in Europe, this is a key starting place for the Covenant. Why is FaithAction interested in such an agreement? Some have asked this question – as our focus is primarily on the ‘actions’ of those of faith, not necessarily the talking. The Covenant – and more, the outworking of such commitments – are what we believe can be the catalyst for wider society to benefit from the many positive attributes of faith and faith communities. In that sense this is a ‘Covenant for engagement’ to encourage the participation of faith – a vital component of civil society – in decision-making and the planning and delivery of services in local areas; it is also about the development of a new connection between local government and faith. Cllr McKay of Birmingham City Council talked of an approach that involves a renewed humility towards the faith communities. Certainly, as we have spoken to other local authorities, there is a sense that the Covenant can be used as a starting point or tool to help local state workers ‘restart’, or recalibrate, their thinking about faith, and about what part each sector should be playing in local areas. A new sense of a connected and relating society is a positive response to the devolution tremors resulting from the independence referendum in Scotland, and the current dissatisfaction with the main three political parties. The emphasis on a positive localism, connected with the [Social Value Act](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-reviews-ground-breaking-social-value-act), gives an opportunity for a new settlement of ideas about how society should look. On the ground, we expect that the Covenant will cause local assessments of need, such as the Joint Strategic Needs Assessments (JNSAs) that look at local health and wellbeing, to be better informed as faith communities see and act on their role in improving the lot of those around them. It will mean that [Health and Wellbeing Boards](http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/health-and-wellbeing-boards/hwb-map) will have more sources of information and ways of disseminating messages. And that local politics will be an avenue not for fragmentation but for a new local connectedness. ![](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/bio-daniel-200x200.jpg) ## About Daniel Singleton ### National Executive Director Daniel Singleton has been the National Executive Director of FaithAction since 2007. This role has seen Daniel forge close working relationships across a number of national government departments, as well as local statutory and voluntary-sector bodies. As part of FaithAction’s mission to connect national and local government with grassroots organisations, Daniel also meets regularly with FaithAction member groups to help them develop in their social action. [ View all posts by Daniel Singleton → ](https://www.faithaction.net/author/daniel-singleton/) ###### Join the Conversation [ X-twitter ](https://www.x.com/FaithActionnet) [ ](https://bsky.app/profile/faithaction.net) [ Facebook-f ](https://www.facebook.com/FaithAction/) [ Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/faithactionnet/) [ Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithaction/) ###### Become a Member now! Get the latest news and invites to upcoming events straight to your inbox. [Sign up!](/membership/) ###### [Latest from the Blog](/blog/) [ ![](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Faith-Covenant-Guidance-Launch-700x300.jpg)## Launching the Faith Covenant Guidebook by FaithAction As we come to the end of Faith in Partnership Week 2026, we are delighted to announce the launch of the new Faith Covenant Guidebook! This is your first port of call for key information on the Faith Covenant initiative – what it is, why \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/faith-in-partnership/2026/09/11/launching-the-faith-covenant-guidebook/ "Launching the Faith Covenant Guidebook") ###### [Latest News](/news/) [## Join Footsteps and West Midlands Combined Authority as they launch their Sacred Spaces, Resilient Places report The charity Footsteps, in partnership with West Midlands Combined Authority and students from Birmingham City University’s architecture and design department, have produced a report on climate adaptation and community resilience at Places of Worship in the West Midlands, and will be launching their new report \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/general/2026/10/02/join-footsteps-and-west-midlands-combined-authority-as-they-launch-their-sacred-spaces-resilient-places-report/ "Join Footsteps and West Midlands Combined Authority as they launch their Sacred Spaces, Resilient Places report") [## Change is here to stay! It has not been an easy time for the faith and community sector, particular for those who are striving to serve their local communities, as is the case for our network members. The FaithAction team has always sought to be close to the ground, not \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/general/2026/10/02/change-is-here-to-stay/ "Change is here to stay!") [## Martha’s Rule rolled out at every A&E department in England The NHS has committed to expanding Martha’s Rule to A&E departments, meaning that patients or family members can demand a review of a patient’s care if a patient is deteriorating and they are concerned this is not being taken on board. Named for Martha Mills, \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/health/2026/09/25/marthas-rule-rolled-out-at-every-ae-department-in-england/ "Martha’s Rule rolled out at every A&E department in England") [## Housing Justice Annual Conference 2026 Join faith and community providers to reflect, share sector updates and develop best practice together. The Annual Housing Justice Conference is a day dedicated to Faith and Community projects across the homelessness sector coming together to learn and connect. The conference will have sessions on \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/general/2026/09/04/housing-justice-annual-conference-2026/ "Housing Justice Annual Conference 2026") [## Get involved with Healthwatch England’s survey on hospital discharge experiences When it came time to leave the hospital, was the right support in place? Could you leave when you were meant to? Or did you have to stay in the hospital for longer than was necessary? Healthwatch England wants to learn more about your experience \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/health/2026/09/04/get-involved-with-healthwatch-englands-survey-on-hospital-discharge-experiences/ "Get involved with Healthwatch England’s survey on hospital discharge experiences") ###### Friendly Places ![](//www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Friendly-Places.jpg)"I believe that there is a significant and positive role for faith communities to play in the support of mental health." "I pledge to support faith groups in my community to become Friendly Places which welcome and support those struggling with their mental health." 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