Key Publications

Understanding Faiths: a practical guide to working with faith communities (2007)
(Understanding Faiths, One NorthEast, Yorkshire Forward, NWDA, 2007)

The 2007 report of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion (Our Shared Future, 2007) speaks of the importance of increasing religious literacy in the public sector.

Faith Communities should be encouraged to work with Government, the LGA and other relevant agencies to develop a programme to help increase 'religious literacy' on the part of public agencies and the ability of these agencies to establish effective patterns of engagement with religion and belief groups as part of wider public engagement; to strengthen engagement with the process of policy development and implementation, and enable local areas to make targeted use of their resources. (Our Shared Future 6.24)

As a first step towards this One North East and The North West Regional Development Agency have joined with Yorkshire Forward in producing a joint updated 'Northern Way' version of the document Understanding Faiths: a practical guide to working with faith communities (2007). In jointly recommending this document the chief executives of the three RDAs state:

The re-emergence of Faith issues into the public domain is something of a 21st century phenomenon. Statutory authorities are increasingly discovering the benefits of working in partnership with faith communities. This has been driven both by political and social demands for diversity and social cohesion, and also by their growing appreciation of the resources that faith communities bring to the wider community in terms of their volunteers, their buildings and their links with many of the most marginalised 'need to reach' groups in society. Research undertaken by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) on both sides of the Pennines has demonstrated the scale of faith communities' contributions, particularly in areas of highest social need.
(Understanding Faiths, One NorthEast, Yorkshire Forward, NWDA, 2007)

Understanding Faiths provides a brief introduction to those within the public sector who are unused to dealing with members of the various faith communities. It attempts to illustrate that faith communities are potentially valuable allies rather than a cultural minefield. The complete document can be downloaded below.

provides a brief introduction to those within the public sector who are unused to dealing with members of the various faith communities. It attempts to illustrate that faith communities are potentially valuable allies rather than a cultural minefield. The complete document can be downloaded below.

The Contribution of Faith Communities to Civil Society (November 2003)

This groundbreaking report is based on a survey of every single place of worship of all faiths in the Northwest. With an overall 54% response rate the survey identified that faith groups are strongest where social needs are highest.

Faith in England's Northwest: Economic Impact Assessment (February 2005)

DTZ Pieda Consulting undertook this report, commissioned by the NWDA and the Churches Officer for the Northwest. Based on the findings of the report of November 2003 it demonstrates the value of the faith communities' contribution to life in the region in economic terms.

Faith and Community: a good practice guide for local authorities (Local Government Association, 2002)

This report spells out to statutory bodies and faith communities alike the benefits of working in partnership.

Document available at:  www.lga.gov.uk