Belonging
We’re in extraordinary days: what’s my part to play?
As we face the current crisis around COVID-19 (or Coronavirus) more and more guidance is starting to appear, particularly advice to organisations and communities. Yet beyond the questions on gatherings and hand washing, there is always that internal preparation that we each individually need to […]
Saving the Economy £132 Billion: An Invisible Workforce
A few months ago, I was speaking to a lovely group of ladies in Wolverhampton who attend a carer support group. They all had different caring experiences, but the most striking thing about the group was that they didn’t consider themselves as ‘carers’ – they […]
Integration Involves All of Us
Standing at a bus stop recently, the lights in the studio flats in the block opposite were on. As a result, I could see inside a number of the tiny apartments. In each there was a lone individual and every single one was sat alone, […]
Common sense just isn’t that common
Just so you know this piece will end with an ask, a call to action. It won’t be hard, complicated, or academic. It’s an ordinary ask… but just make sure you don’t miss it! Logical, simple answers to problems and obvious observations are always worth […]
Strengthening Community through Creative English
When I first started working with Creative English, I was excited by the idea of incorporating ‘community’. I imagined being a part of creating a safe and supportive environment that could be a haven from the rest of society’s troubles. I am pleased to say, […]
How the Government Plans to Tackle Loneliness in 2020
As human beings, we all feel lonely at one point or another throughout our lives. But none of us are alone. However, loneliness is one of the most prevalent issues in our society today, with somewhere between 6% and 18% of the population describing themselves […]
Widows and Orphans: a philosophy for action
I often hear asked, “As a person of faith, how do you approach working with people of other faiths?” People generally understand the interest in dialoguing together about faith (aka ‘interfaith’) and they understand that having a faith motivates people to act, to do good, […]
With thanks to you, our members…
What a year it has been! Characterised nationally by division, faith groups the length and breadth of the country have, nevertheless, continued to serve our communities and individuals regardless of the colour of their politics, creed, or national heritage. As we have so often found, […]
The FaithAction Manifesto 2019: part 2
As Elspeth outlined last week, FaithAction has some ideas about how we’d like to see this nation changed. The word that we believe captures our vision is decency. The promotion of the decent life should be a goal of all policy, domestic and foreign, but […]
Integrated Communities and Creative English
I wonder how many of you will join me in admitting that you love to watch DIY SOS on BBC1? I love seeing a house that is no longer suitable for a family’s needs being transformed into a beautiful and practical home. In a recent […]