Described as the glue that holds society together, faith groups are significant contributors to the life of the region.

Who are the faith communities?

They are proven to be strongest where social need is highest, they are custodians of our built heritage, attract tourists, offer social support and care to vulnerable members of society, and stimulate unrivalled levels of volunteering.

Faith communities wish to be taken seriously as stakeholders both by government and by other potential partners. They themselves frequently underestimate their own collective impact on the quality of life of the region, despite having a long tradition of working in the community.

Government at every level is increasingly exploring ways of using the experience and resources of faith communities on the ground to deliver services.

The department for Communities and Local Government,the Home Office and other government departments at regional and local level are increasingly coming to realise the importance of engaging with faith communities along with the voluntary and community sector.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency has already published a survey Faith in England's Northwest (2003/2005) that measure the contribution made by faith communities to civil society in the region. The NWDA are supporting the faith communities in the Northwest by sponsoring this website.

Faith in Englands North West Document......

http://www.faithnorthwest.org.uk/resources/142210/contributiontocivilsociety2005.pdf