Interfaith Week – 12 – 19 November 2023

Interfaith Week takes place 12 – 19 November 2023 with 15 local events during the week and beyond
The Launch Event takes place 10 November at the Council House
Faith based organisations form the largest part of Birmingham’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector providing vital activities and services
It’s been a year since BVSC and partners signed the refreshed Birmingham Faith Covenant and we are working to develop our faith offer

According to the 2021 Census, 69.8% of Birmingham residents have a religious affiliation.

Faith organisations are a vital part of Birmingham’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector, collectively forming the largest part of the sector.

Over 1/3 (34.5% - 888 of 2,571) of registered charities across Birmingham City carry out faith activities (Charity Commission Register of Charities, 16/02/22) and many more faith-based organisations working in partnership to make a positive difference to people and places across the city.

Birmingham Council of Faiths Footsteps Project have produced a Birmingham Faith Community Map showing over 700 Places of Worship across the City: https://footstepsbcf.org.uk/project4f/faith-community-map/

Faith groups share many values with partner organisations (both local authorities and wider VCFSE sector organisations) including: compassion, social justice (including an end to discrimination and poverty), friendship, an ethos of service, kindness, empathy and hope. (p.3, APPG on Faith & Society, 07/09/2022)

Many Voluntary and Community organisations across the city, both with faith and non-faith values, have historically been set up by faith-based organisations.

Faith based organisations provide wide ranging activities and services to the wider community including: swapshops; counselling; yoga; meditation; mental health support; places of sanctuary; bereavement support; environmental projects.

Birmingham was the first City in 2014 to sign a Faith Covenant with its Local Authority – Birmingham City Council. After 8 years the Covenant was refreshed and signatories were given a new commitment to working together.

The revised Covenant, signed last year on 11 November 2022, was extended to include Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC), the Police, Crown Prosecution Service and Healthwatch Birmingham and Solihull.

BVSC is working to develop a faith offer as per the Faith Covenant. We will keep you updated as this is developed. If you have any thoughts or questions on this please contact [email protected]

Birmingham Council of Faiths is co-ordinating 15 varied and exciting events during Interfaith Week and beyond. Whether you have a faith background or not, all are welcome to participate.

Interfaith Week Programme:

Birmingham Launch Event – 10 November:

Interfaith Week Events:

For more information visit:

Birmingham Council of Faiths – Contact Joint Secretaries: Dr Peter Rookes at [email protected] or Dr Bilqees Khawaja at [email protected]
Birmingham Faith Community Map – Contact [email protected]
BVSC – Contact Elizabeth Goodchild, Strategic Partnership Manager at [email protected]

Resources

https://bhamfaiths.org.uk/events/

Programme

Update and Events

Launch

BVSC Signing the Birmingham Faith Covenant (11.11.22)

Latest

Volunteer Co-ordinator

Position: Volunteer Coordinator Location: Better Pathways Type: Volunteer Application Deadline: 15/09/2024 About Us: Better Pathways is a dedicated organisation who is passionate about making a difference and rely on the invaluable contributions of our volunteers to achieve our mission. Job Overview: We are seeking an enthusiastic and organised Volunteer Coordinator to join our team. The Volunteer Coordinator will play a key role in recruiting, training, and managing volunteer.
The supermarkets offering free unrestricted funding

Feed your fundraising through weekly food shops! Leading supermarkets, Tesco, Morrisons, ASDA, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and more partner with easyfundraising to give your organisation a free and easy way of receiving unrestricted funding.
Support for people living with HIV

We seek volunteers to help at retreats for people living with HIV.
Invitation to tender – Creative Brief for Birmingham Economic Justice Alliance

Barrow Cadbury Trust, Closing date: 18 August 2024

The supermarkets offering free unrestricted funding

Feed your fundraising through weekly food shops! Leading supermarkets, Tesco, Morrisons, ASDA, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and more partner with easyfundraising to give your organisation a free and easy way of receiving unrestricted funding.
Community Energy Fortnight – New Energy Co-op

Earlier this month, Community Energy England launched the Community Energy Fortnight, a two-week campaign dedicated to promoting community-led energy initiatives and empowering communities to take charge of their energy future through sustainable practices. This year’s theme was empowerment, highlighting the potential of community owned energy projects.
Community Energy Fortnight – New Energy Co-op

Earlier this month, Community Energy England launched the Community Energy Fortnight, a two-week campaign dedicated to promoting community-led energy initiatives and empowering communities to take charge of their energy future through sustainable practices. This year’s theme was empowerment, highlighting the potential of community owned energy projects.
South Asian Heritage Month Upcoming Birmingham Events

BVSC wants to support the Birmingham Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to celebrate and raise awareness of South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) which runs from 18 July to 17 August. The 2024 theme is ‘Free to Be Me’. Check out the upcoming Events in Birmingham.
Birmingham Faith Climate Action

A new collaboration between Birmingham Council of Faiths’ Footsteps (a BrumEnergy Member), Muslim Bahu Trust, and climate solutions charity Ashden, will receive £200,000 over three years from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to build the capacity of Birmingham faith groups to engage in community led climate action in disadvantaged areas of the city, and to share the learning widely.
Shaping Birmingham’s Future Together meeting list

A Series of events throughout July and August 2024. Shaping Birmingham’s Future Together was announced by the Leader of the Council in March 2024. The Shaping Birmingham’s future Together Strategic Partnership has been established and is supported by a network of local contacts of individual citizens, community contacts, voluntary and community sector organisations and city partners.
Join the Birmingham Community Lottery now for a chance to win a Summer BBQ Party Bundle!

Sign up by 27 July and support a good cause. Not only will you be in with the chance of winning weekly cash prizes of up to £25,000, but you will be in with the chance of winning the Ultimate Summer BBQ Party Ninja Bundle, all for just £1 a week!
easyfundraising - 250 free online fundraising packs available

easyfundraising is offering 250 free fundraising toolkits to help local organisations raise money online. Through easyfundraising, when your supporters shop with any of 8,000 retailers, including Tesco, trainline, eBay, Argos, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Asda and Booking.com, a donation is made to your organisation. All you need to do is use the free packs to tell your supporters about it
Keeping Cool at Home

Been spending months trying to keep warm, waiting for some sun but now your home is too warm? Here are our top-tips to keeping cool this summer.
Nishkam Launches Executive Senior Leadership Apprenticeship Level 7 Programme

The Nishkam Civic Association presents the level 7 Executive Senior Leadership Apprenticeship Programme. Supporting Third sector organisations to navigate the numerous challenges and instability, best positioning organisations to take opportunities and develop a flexible and agile approach by strengthening senior leadership. The programme valued at £14k is funded from 95% only requiring a £700 contribution and for some zero contribution.