It’s the final chance to sign up to attend the United in Faith - Black Country Faith Event at the Bethel Convention Centre, West Bromwich.
The event, on Tuesday 13th May 12.30 - 3.30pm, is being hosted by Sandwell Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority. They are hoping to bring together Faith and Community Leaders across the Black Country (Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall) to share the good practice and strong links built with Sandwell Faith communities and create opportunities for Faith and Community Leaders to shape and influence up and coming projects in a meaningful way through a number of co-design workshops.
You can join up with your valuable insights and help shape important work happening in your region.
Marketplace: On arrival, there will be a marketplace allowing attendees to network and connect with faith community colleagues.
Summary of event: The event will be opened with colleagues sharing how they have benefitted from strong relationships with local faith communities and the importance of partnership working. We will then move into a Panel discussion to set to context and tone for the event, which will include a representative mix of local Faith Leaders.
You will explore the importance of faith communities, wanting to be heard and listened to, and examples of when those partnerships have worked well. Finally, there will be four workshops for attendees to choose from (each attendee will choose their 1st, 2nd and 3rd preference upon registering for the event).
Details of the workshops are below:
Workshop 1 - Update of Faith Covenant: The Faith Covenant was signed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in September 2023 and is a joint commitment by faith communities, local authorities and other stakeholders to a set of principles that promote open, practical working on all levels. Since then, we have had a new leadership with Mayor Richard Parker and international conflicts and recent riots so we would like to explore if the Faith Covenant needs updating.
Workshop 2 - Inclusive Communities Approach: As part of the Commonwealth Legacy Enhancement Fund, WMCA is developing an Inclusive Communities Approach. This looks to take a people and place centred approach to improving residents’ lives and wellbeing, looking beyond economic growth. Find out more about the approach and have the opportunity to shape the approach in its development.
Workshop 3 - Mental Health for Faith Communities: Sandwell Public Health, in partnership with WMCA have commissioned culturally sensitive Mental Health workshops for Faith communities across Sandwell. The aim of the programme is to train Faith Leaders to enable them to provide Mental Health support to their communities tailored to their Faith and provide effective signposting to local mental health provision. This workshop will allow Faith leaders to shape the content of the workshops.
Workshop 4 - Civic Leadership: WMCA in partnership with local Faith Leaders and the Race Equality Taskforce members, are developing a Civic Leadership Programme to grow and develop existing Faith Leaders. Colleagues would like your insights in order to co-design the programme.
The aim of these workshops is to co-design and co-produce programmes and policies with you, so you can see tangible outcomes from your valuable insights. We hope you can join us, united to make positive change in our region.
If you are interested in attending, sign up and make sure you fill in all the questions.
