Westminster Faith Exchange Newsletter – February 2009 This newsletter is complied by Clinton Geeves at Westminster City Council. If you have any queries or would like to include an article in the March 2009 newsletter please contact Clinton on [email protected] or 020 7641 3247.
Inside this Newsletter: ¾ Next meeting of the Westminster Faith Exchange – 25th March 2009 ¾ Faith Exchange Work Programme for 2009 ¾ 2009 Calendar of Religious Festivals ¾ Last Faith Exchange meeting at St Martin-in-the-Fields ¾ Special Briefing for faith leaders on Westminster’s Contingency Plan for Major Emergencies – 12th February ¾ Special event on community cohesion in Westminster – 26th February ¾ £££-FUNDING & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES-£££ ¾ Westminster’s Faith Communities Development Worker ¾ Area Forums – have your say about local priorities! ¾ Migrant Organisations’ Development Agency (MODA) - Community Leaders Development Programme ¾ What’s the future of Westminster’s Community Network? ¾ Beat the Recession website ¾ What do you think about childcare in Westminster? ¾ Children’s Centres in Westminster ¾ Westminster’s Playbuilders programme ¾ Proposed changes to PARKING regulations in Westminster ¾ “Culture Shox” – free cultural activities for young people ¾ Sport and Leisure activities in Westminster ¾ Sayers Croft – Westminster’s residential centre in the countryside ¾ Information on registering deaths in Westminster ¾ Celebrating Diversity – LGBT History Month in Westminster ¾ NHS Westminster Annual Health Check event – 23rd February ¾ Updates from the London Civic Forum ¾ Westminster Police – Faith Newsletter ¾ Faith Forum for London – Survey of faith leaders ¾ Project Mosaic ¾ “Refreshing Church” – Hugh Price Lectures ¾ KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY ¾ UPCOMING FESTIVALS
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Next meeting of the Westminster Faith Exchange – 25th March The next meeting of the Westminster Faith Exchange is on Wednesday 25th March 2009, 5.30pm at the Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London W9 1QB. The theme of this meeting is ‘Making Westminster a Safer Place for All’.
This meeting will inform you of how the City Council and Westminster Police are working to reduce crime and make Westminster a safer place for all, including the role and function of Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Civic Watch, City Guardians and Neighbourhood Watch.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns you have. The meeting will explore areas where the Council and Police can work with Westminster’s faith communities. The agenda and papers for the meeting will be sent to you at the beginning of March.
If you would like more information about the Westminster Faith Exchange please contact Clinton Geeves on 020 7641 3247 or [email protected] or visit the Faith Exchange website at www.westminster.gov.uk/communityandliving/faithsbeliefsandreligions
Faith Exchange 2009 Work Programme This year the Faith Exchange will meet on the following dates: 25th March (see above) 23rd June 8th October 3rd December Please add these dates to your diary!
The Faith Exchange Work Programme for 2009 has also been agreed and is enclosed for your information. The work programme includes the headline topics for each Faith Exchange meeting and some additional activities.
The Work Programme for 2009 is available to download on the Faith Exchange website: www.westminster.gov.uk/communityandliving/faithsbeliefsandreligions
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2009 Calendar of Religious Festivals Also enclosed is the 2009 Calendar of Religious Festivals. I hope that you will find this calendar useful and it helps to improve your understanding of the diverse religions in Westminster.
If you would like more copies of the calendar please email Clinton Geeves on [email protected] or 020 7641 3247.
Faith Exchange meeting on 2nd December 2008 St Martin-in-the-Fields kindly hosted the last meeting of the Faith Exchange on 2nd December 2008. A short note of the meeting is enclosed.
The meeting was very successful and included some interesting and interactive talks about prayer by representatives from different faith traditions in Westminster. The Leader of the Council also spoke about the challenges currently facing Westminster and the need for the important work of the Faith Exchange to continue.
The meeting included a prize giving and exhibition for the ‘My Faith, My Life’ art competition for children and young people. Over 260 entries were received for the competition. The prize winners were:
10 years and under First prize – Zahara Matin (All Souls School) Second prize – Ziyaad (St Clement Danes Church of England School) Third prize – Mumeet Miah (Millbank Primary School) Highly Commended – Jyothi Dev (Radha Krishna Temple) Highly Commended – Akintola Diedrick Highly Commended – Hannah Boyle
11-14 years First prize - Theo Ralli (St Clement Danes School) Second prize – Catherine Simons (St Clement Danes School) Third prize – Mohammed Helal (Millbank Primary School) Highly Commended – Sarah Mugglestone (St Clement Danes School) Highly Commended – Kayleigh Nobbs (St Clement Danes School) Highly Commended – Mala Virdee (Central Gurdwara)
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15-19 years First prize – Dajani Jegatheeswaran (Radha Krishna Temple) Second prize – Sonia Sharma (Radha Krishna Temple) Third prize – Damandeep Bamrah (Central Gurdwara) Highly Commended – Mann Virdee (Central Gurdwara)
Westminster’s Contingency Plan – Briefing for faith leaders As a faith leader, are you aware of the contingency plan for Westminster should there be a major emergency? Help us to help you in an emergency.
The Civil Contingency Team at Westminster City Council is holding a special briefing for faith leaders on Westminster’s contingency plan for major emergencies. This briefing has been set up for members of the Westminster Faith Exchange Executive Committee and is open to all faith leaders in Westminster to attend.
When: Thursday 12th February 2009, 2pm – 5pm Where: City Management Suite, Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria St, London SW1E 6QP
This briefing session will include a presentation by Brian Blake (Head of Contingency Planning at Westminster City Council) on Westminster’s Contingency Plan for Major Emergencies and an opportunity to ask questions and raise any issues or concerns you have. Numbers are limited for this session so if you would like to attend please contact Clinton Geeves on [email protected] or 020 7641 3247 to register.
For more information on Westminster’s contingency plan please visit www.westminster.gov.uk/policingandpublicsafety/accidentsemergenciesandsafet y/emergency or contact the Contingency Planning Team at the Council on 020 7641 7054 or 020 7641 6000 (outside office hours).
Special event on Community Cohesion – 26th February The Leader of the Council, alongside the Borough Commander and Chief Executive of the Westminster Primary Care Trust, are hosting a special event to look at Community Cohesion in Westminster. This event is a follow up to the 'Blue Print to Cohesion Event' held in March 2006.
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When: Thursday 26th February at 5.30pm Where: Westminster Academy, 255 Harrow Road, London W2 5EZ
The event will look at: • What is community cohesion? • What's happened since the Blueprint event? • Westminster's approach and some examples of what's happening on the ground. • How Westminster is tackling the Government's Preventing Violent Extremism Agenda • Priority setting for 2009/10
Please put this date in your diary. A formal invite and agenda papers will be circulated shortly. If you would like the chance to showcase the work of your project/organisation at the event please get in touch on the number noted. If you have any questions about the event or would like to confirm your attendance please contact Nazia Mirza on [email protected] or via 020 7641 3047.
££ FUNDING & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ££
New fund to help small organisations tender for contracts Futurebuilders fund offers grants of up to £15,000 to help small organisations bidding for public service delivery contracts of over £30,000. Key points: There is a limited pot of up to £220,000 for this fund Grants will be offered for up to 10% of a contract value, up to a maximum of 15,000 Contracts being tendered for must hold a minimum value of £30,000 A small organisation is defined as one with an annual turnover of less than £250,000 Applicants must also have been trading for a minimum of one year.
Guidance for applicants Visit the Futurebuilders website for more information on the small organisation tender fund: www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk/our-products/small- organisation-tender-fund/small-organisation-tender-fund How to apply
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There is no application form for this fund. To begin the application process call the Futurebuilders enquiry line on 0191 261 5200 or email [email protected]
Funding for projects to build social values The Wates Foundation offers grants to support work that builds social values and responsibility and provides access to opportunities that address disadvantage. During 2008-2010 The Wates Foundation is supporting projects in the following areas: Community health Safer communities Sustaining the environment Strengthening the charitable & voluntary sectors How to apply Apply at any time No application form needed: write no more than four A4 pages outlining your project Guidance and more information available at www.watesfoundation.org.uk
Help with your application For advice on writing an application, or comments on your draft application, contact Voluntary Action Westminster on 020 7723 1216 or email [email protected]
****** Need help with a funding application? *******
Westminster’s Faith Communities Development Worker Ahmed Abd-Elghany is Westminster’s Faith Communities Development Worker. Ahmed works to support faith organisations and faith communities in Westminster be more involved in local decision-making, develop their organisational capacity, and find funding.
To find out how Ahmed can help your organisation, please call him on 020 7535 0480 or email [email protected] Ahmed is based at Voluntary Action Westminster, 37 Chapel St, London NW1 5DP.
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Directory of Social Change - Seminars As part of our commitment to support the aims and needs of voluntary organisations, the Directory of Social Change is runing a selection of topical seminars that quickly respond to sector changes and offer the essential information you need to respond and prepare for them.
Current seminars include:
Getting Money from Government Fundraising in a Recession Staying Solvent Go to www.dsc.org.uk/Training/TopicalSeminars for more information.
Investing in governance seminar – 10th February 2009 This is an evening seminar looking at practical ways for trustee boards to develop their skills and decision-making abilities.
For details, call Voluntary Action Westminster on 020 7723 1216 or email [email protected]
Migrant Organisations’ Development Agency (MODA) - Community Leaders Development Programme The Community Leaders Development Programme aims to provide individuals from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee communities who live in London, with a flexible and tailored range of leadership development opportunities.
Mentoring and Training Programme for New Leaders Are you a Londoner active in a voluntary or community organisation? Are you interested in developing your community leadership skills through a new training opportunity? Are you interested in receiving one-to-one mentoring support? Would you like practical help to produce a business or operational plan and fundraising strategy for your group?
If you play a leadership role within a voluntary sector/community groups, as a volunteer, trustee, or member of staff and have answered yes to these questions then please contact Karin at LVSC on 020 7700 8110 or email [email protected] to find out how to access valuable free-of-charge mentoring and training opportunities.
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Leadership Training for Social Entrepreneurs Are you trying to start or grow an organisation that benefits your community? Would you like to hear from people who have been there and done it? Would you benefit from a day of leadership training to learn about social entrepreneurship and social enterprise?
This one day training session provides an introduction to social enterprise and how it relates to other types of social organisations including charities, and to the characteristics that make social entrepreneurs successful. You will also hear from social entrepreneurs who have successfully set up organisations, and have the opportunity to ask them about their experiences. For more information please contact the School for Social Entrepreneurs on 0208 981 0300 or email [email protected]
WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL UPDATES
Area Forums - Have your say about local priorities! The City Council is committed to involving local residents and businesses in local policy decisions and to finding out what you think about the Council and the services we provide. To do this, the Council holds Area Forums that provide:
Information on Council services and Council policies affecting the local area An opportunity to give your input on issues that affect your neighbourhood A mechanism to have your say on any issue related to Council business Information on actions raised and monitored from feedback
Area Forums are chaired by local councillors and are held in the following geographical areas that cover between 2 and 5 electoral wards: Bayswater - Bayswater, Hyde Park, Lancaster Gate and Westbourne wards. Maida Vale - Harrow Road, Little Venice, Maida Vale and Queen's Park wards. Marylebone - Bryanston & Dorset Square, Church Street and Marylebone High Street wards. South - Churchill, Knightsbridge & Belgravia, Tachbrook, Vincent Square and Warwick wards. St John's Wood - Abbey Road and Regent's Park wards. West End - St James's and West End wards.
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To join your local Area Forum and make a difference to your neighbourhood please visit: www.westminster.gov.uk/councilgovernmentanddemocracy/democraticprocessesa ndevents/areaforums/index
The dates of Area Forum meetings are included on the 2009 Calendar of Religious Festivals.
What’s the future for the Westminster Community Network? How can the Community Network become a more influential voice for local voluntary organisations and communities?
The Westminster Community Network was launched in 2003 to ensure that the views of the voluntary and community sector are adequately represented in decision making of the Westminster City Partnership (see www.westminstercitypartnership.org.uk). The Community Network is coordinated by Voluntary Action Westminster (VAW).
From January to March 2009, VAW are asking Westminster’s voluntary and community organisations to share their ideas on the future development of the Community Network. VAW have put together a programme of activities to canvas the views of Westminster’s voluntary and community organisations, and they would like to hear from Westminster’s faith communities. For information and to download the programme of activities please visit www.vawcvs.org
Why is the Community Network changing? During the summer of 2008, the Council carried out a review of the Community Network. The review said that the network was good at bringing voluntary groups together – but also highlighted some areas of weakness.
The Westminster City Partnership (which funds the network) has said that VAW needs to come up with a plan of action to say what the Community Network will do to become more influential and more proactive. The ideas and suggestions you share with VAW over the next months will help to shape this action plan.
For more information please call Daniel Mapp at VAW on 020 7535 0493 or email [email protected]
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Beat the Recession – website launched by the Council The Council has just launched a ‘Beat the Recession’ website to help you through the economic downturn. The website provides you with advice on personal finances, assistance for your business, and details of organisations that can help you with housing, getting back into work, and dealing with stress.
Visit the Beat the Recession website at: www.westminster.gov.uk/beattherecession
What do you think about childcare in Westminster? Help us improve childcare services! Westminster City Council needs your help to understand the childcare needs of parents with children up to 14. This includes after school clubs, holiday schemes, pre schools, nurseries, childminders, drop-ins, maintained nurseries, nursery schools and youth activities.
We understand that a range of factors impact on whether a parent decides to use childcare, and if so what type of childcare to use. These can include cost, opening hours, faith, informal childcare and location, amongst a range of other reasons. In order to address any gaps that might exist, Westminster City Council want to identify how these factors impact on parental choice in Westminster. Please come to our next consultation event…
Date: 9th March 2009 Venue: Marsham Street Children’s Centre Time: 2-4pm Refreshments will be available. Bring your children along for rhyme and song.
E-mail [email protected] or call 020 7641 4726, for further details and if you would like to come along.
Children’s Centres in Westminster Children’s Centres are a key part of Westminster City Council’s support for children and their families, and were initially set up to offer services for parents and their children ages 0-5. Children’s Centres now offer a vast array of services, including drop-ins, ESOL, creche, stay and play, Baby cafes, and
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outreach in the community from teams based in centres. There are currently 12 in Westminster, expanding to 15 from April 2010.
The Council is entering the 3rd Phase of its Children’s Centre provision by supporting and delivering services in three new areas: Abbey Road and Regents Park Brystanston and Dorset Square and Marylebone Knightsbridge and Belgravia
Building on the work done in the 1st and 2nd phases, this will increase the number of Children’s Centres from 12 to 15, and ensure that 100% of Westminster residents have access to services in their local area, or are signposted to services close to where they live. Westminster plans to have this universal service in place by April 2010.
The centres will be based in a number of locations, many of which are already thriving community hubs. These will include libraries, GPs, and additional space in existing Children’s Centres.
We hope that Faith Exchange members will and encourage parents of all faiths to make use of the new services and facilities available in these Children's Centres. For more information, do contact Richard Pearce, Westminster Children's Centre Development Manager, at [email protected]
Playbuilders Programme Westminster has been successful in securing funding from the Department of Children, Schools and Families to undertake a programme of developing and refurbishing play spaces for children and young people.
We want children, young people, parents and the wider community to be at the heart of delivery of this programme through involvement from the planning stage to the completion of the projects. Westminster Play Service consulting widely on the programme and would especially like to talk to individuals, small groups and voluntary organisations who may not normally be involved in this type of work.
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If you would like to be involved individually or if you would like Westminster Play Service to attend a meeting of your group to explain more about the programme and ways we can work together, please contact Su Rawlins, Special Project Manager on 020 7641 2585 or on [email protected]
Proposed changes to PARKING regulations in Westminster
Subsidised parking for unpaid carers The support provided by a carer plays a vital role in helping vulnerable people to remain at home in the community and effectively saves the economy billions of pounds a year in care costs, often at significant personal cost to the carers themselves in terms of time, income, physical health and quality of life.
Westminster City Council is proposing to offer a parking concession that would reduce some of the financial pressure and stress experienced by voluntary carers while they administer care duties to Westminster residents. The scheme will target unpaid carers in Westminster who provide care to residents, of any age, who receive attendance allowance or the higher rate for either the mobility or care component of the Disability Living Allowance.
Want to comment on the scheme and find out more? The Council is holding workshop sessions at the following Area Forums: • West End (3 March) • Maida Vale (19 March) • St Johns Wood (26 March)
For more information and venue details visit www.westminster.gov.uk/areaforums
Conversion of resident parking bays into shared-use bays In response to public feedback, the Westminster City Council is looking at the feasibility of introducing a scheme that will allow visitors to park in resident bays. Visitors would be able to pay for the parking session using the pay by phone service or by purchasing parking cards (scratch cards) which would allow access to resident bays.
Westminster does not currently offer a visitor permit scheme. One of the main reasons is that the availability of parking spaces is already at a premium in most
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parts of the borough, particularly in resident bays. Westminster currently has 36,000 resident permit holders and only 32,000 spaces. Currently, visitors to the borough can use paid for bays such as pay by phone, pay and display and meter bays but are not permitted to use resident only bays during hours of control.
Want to comment on the scheme and find out more? The Council is holding workshop sessions at the following Area Forums. • South (11 February) • West End (3 March) • Bayswater (5 March) • Maida Vale (19 March)
For more information and venue details visit www.westminster.gov.uk/areaforums
Review of parking around places of worship in Westminster The Council is currently looking at the provision of paid for parking near places of worship in Westminster, following feedback provided at a Faith Exchange meeting in July 2008. This is a longer term project and we will provide updates in future Faith Exchange newsletters. In the meantime, the Council will ensure that the availability of parking near places of worship is taken into consideration as part of scheme developments and investigating what other facilities central London boroughs are providing.
Culture Shox – activities for young people Westminster City Council recently launched the “Culture Shox” leaflet that provides information on free events and things to do for young people in Westminster. Culture Shox is part of the Council ‘One City’ project to provide cultural opportunities for 13-19 year olds.
A copy of the leaflet is enclosed with this newsletter. Further information can be found at www.cultureshox.org.uk
Sport and leisure activities in Westminster Westminster’s leisure facilities offer sports opportunities for everyone. Our five indoor and two outdoor sites provide a myriad of services from gyms and
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swimming pools to basketball and kids’ activities. They also offer a wide range of sports schemes and courses. All centres are open to the public on a casual (‘pay as you go’) basis. This means there is no joining fee or contract so you can just turn up and play.
Westminster’s local centres are managed by Cannon’s Health and Fitness Limited (with the exception of Moberly Sports Centre). Courtney’s fitness facilities are situated within your local leisure centre and offer convenience and great facilities at affordable prices.
Below is an update from Courtney’s on various activities and events…
Memberships for everyone Courtney’s have flexible membership options to allow all users the opportunity to experience Westminster’s great facilities, including:
Concessions membership – available to residents who are disabled, caring for a disabled person, a senior citizen, or unemployed and currently seeking employment. This membership offers free swimming as well as significant discounts on many more activities.
ResCard – entitles residents to discounts on a range of activities across all five leisure centres. To get a ResCard or find out more simply pop into your local Westminster library or One Stop Shop, phone 0870 736 4040 or visit www.westminster.gov.uk/leisureandculture/ResCard
Youth & Junior Passport – available for 8-19 year olds living in Westminster and provides access to great discounts and give-aways throughout Westminster. For further information on how to get a Youth Passport check out the website www.youthpassport.info/ua_apply or ask at your local Westminster facility, or One Stop Shop. Ladies only activities This year Courtney’s will continue to offer activities tailored specifically to ladies throughout the week. These include ladies only swimming sessions, fitness classes and days in our relaxing Health Suites. Men only days are also held in our Health Suites throughout the week. For more information on what days and times these are held, please visit www.courtneys.co.uk for more information.
Weekly meetings at The Porchester Hall The Association of Islamic Charitable Project (AICP) meet weekly every Friday for a prayer from 12pm – 2pm. Contact 07956 549 724 for more information.
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Great Ormond Street Hospital Fundraising In support of Great Ormond Street Hospital, Courtney’s leisure centres will be collecting old mobile phones which will be recycled and £3 per phone being donated to GOSH. Please contact any the Courtney’s leisure centres if you are interested in supporting this great cause or for more information on any other fundraising activities we have on the go.
Re-opening of the Paddington Recreation Ground Pavilion Courtney’s are happy to announce that the pavilion will be re-opening at the end of March 2009. For more information on this please contact Paddington Recreation Ground on 0207 641 3642.
Sayers Croft: Westminster’s residential centre in the countryside Sayers Croft is Westminster’s own residential centre in the countryside. It is a beautiful, safe and secure site with 56 acres of woodlands, meadows, ponds and streams that is just 30 miles from central London. It offers accommodation for up to 200 people in six comfortable self contained chalets, each with internet access and digital projectors. Quality food is provided and all special diets are accommodated. Halls are available for group meetings.
The Centre hosts a wide range of faith groups and in the last year has been used by Buddhist, Sikh, Jewish and Christian youth groups. We are especially keen to provide a service for Westminster based groups and can offer discounted charges.
Facilities include a climbing tower, ropes adventure courses, a hedge maze, a raft pond a swimming pool and much more. There is a designated nature reserve next to the site with stunning views and scenery on local guided walks. The Centre has achieved BS18001 safety standard and offers 24 hour on site staffing support. Groups and individuals with special needs are extremely welcome as most of site is accessible.
For more information please visit our website at www.sayers-croft.org.uk
Information on registering deaths in Westminster The City Council is responsible for providing a service for the public to carry out their legal duties to register all deaths occurring within Westminster. Information on registering deaths can found on the Council website at
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www.westminster.gov.uk/communityandliving/registrar/deaths
All deaths should be registered at the Westminster Register Office (97-113 Marylebone Road, NW1 5PT, 020 7641 1161. The Office is open Monday to Friday between 9 am and 4 pm (from 1pm on the first Thursday of the month). No appointment is necessary during the week. The Office is also open between 9 am and midday on Saturday’s by appointment only.
Some members of our community, to comply with religious observance, require a funeral to take place as quickly as possible. If a death occurs in Westminster and the funeral needs to take place within 24 hours, there is a registrar on duty on Sunday mornings between 9 am and midday when the Register Office is closed. The registrar may be able to issue a document to allow a burial to proceed. If you require this service you should telephone 020 7641 1161. If the death needs to be reported to the Coroner and a post-mortem is required, a death will not be able to be registered and so a burial will not be able to take place within 24 hours.
Celebrating Diversity - LBGT History Month February is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month. To celebrate LGBT History Month there will be a wide range of exciting and informative events taking place across Westminster to highlight the experiences, positive contributions and achievements of LGBT communities and support the fight against homophobia. Here’s just a few of the events:
Historical LGBT Walks in Westminster (throughout February) – discover hidden histories and fascinating facts on the LGBT History in Westminster.
Valentines Day – 14th of February - A joint initiative involving Unison, the City Council, Broken Rainbow and the Metropolitan Police LGBT Unit. 2500 rainbow ribbons will be distributed in the Soho area alongside leaflets highlighting support services for victims/survivors of LGBT domestic violence.
LGBT Seminar – 26th February 4pm-7pm at the University of Westminster, Regent Campus, Regent Street, WC – the seminar will highlight the positive contributions and issues faced by LGBT communities. The guest speaker is Bob Green, Chief Executive of Stonewall.
Film Screening of "It’s Elementary" – 27th February 6pm-8pm at City Hall,
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17th Floor, City Hall. This film tackles the controversial issue of how LGBT issues should be discussed in schools, followed by Q&A session.
For bookings and further information please visit www.westminster.gov.uk/LGBThistorymonth or Tel: 02076418547.
NHS Annual Health Check Event – 23rd February NHS Westminster is holding its Annual Health Check Event on the 23rd of February 2009 to self assess whether they are meeting the 24 core standards for better health as set down by the Healthcare Commission. NHS Westminster, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust and London Ambulance Service NHS Trust will be at the event to give a short presentation on how they think they have met the standards.
NHS Westminster would like to invite the public to come and give their own views on how they think the different trusts have performed, either from being patients in hospitals or using the services in Westminster.
The event will be at Regent Hall, 275 Oxford Street, London W1R 1LD from 3pm-6pm. The presentations will be from 3-4pm and the rest of the time will enable the public to ask questions and/or fill in their forms. It is a drop in style event and even if the presentations are missed the speakers will be there to outline the main points given and answer any questions.
If you would like further information please contact Jo Bevan-Taylor on 0207 641 2877 or [email protected]
COMMUNITY UPDATES
Updates from the London Civic Forum
Faiths Forum for London In 2006 a feasibility study for a Faiths Forum for London was undertaken by London Civic Forum. Following the completion of the study and the publication of its report in November 2006, the London Development Agency agreed to support the creation of an independent Faiths Forum for London (FFL).
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The first steps were to establish some basic operating guidelines. A 'Blueprint for Development 2008-2010' was prepared which sets out terms of reference for the FFL in the short term, and establishes a timetable to creating an independent FFL by spring 2009.
The London Development Agency finance has enabled FFL to employ a full-time Development Worker, Harmander Singh, who will steer this process over the coming year. At the same time a number of pilot and development programmes will be initiated for the benefit of faith communities, public bodies and London as a whole. The Faiths Forum for London will focus on social policy, community development and civic engagement and will be able to improve access to London governance for all of London's faith communities.
For all further information contact Harmander Singh on [email protected] or 020 8709 8770 or visit www.londoncivicforum.org.uk/news.asp?sid=9&id=378
Planning Places of Worship An event that will look at the range of unresolved planning issues faced by hundreds of London faith groups in relation to their place of worship and at what needs to be done to deal with them fairly, is being planned for late March. Across London hundreds of faith communities are struggling with the lack of clear and workable policies to allow the use of otherwise empty buildings to deliver what are often much needed practical as well as spiritual services. Planning Aid for London has been dealing with individual cases and cites a range of stop gap measures and perverse outcomes especially for minority churches and for newer faith communities.
Faiths Forum for London is working with Planning Aid for London, Black Neighbourhood Renewal &Regeneration Network and Just Space network to develop a clearer understanding of the issues between planning policy makers, planning implementation personnel and “minority” faith communities.
Further information contact Marian Larragy on [email protected] or 020 8709 9773
2012 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES The next phase of consultation on the 2012 legacy involves sharing the preferred options for the Olympic Park with community representatives, special interest groups, local residents and the general public through a series of
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activities and events. The topic and local drop-in workshops will explore the ambitions and supporting rationale for the creation of the preferred Legacy Masterplan Framework.
Topic Workshops The topic workshops will explain the preferred option for the masterplan for the Olympic Park with a focus on each specific topic. They include: Transport - Tuesday, 10 February 2009 Social infrastructure - Wednesday, 11 February 2009 Housing - Wednesday, 11 February 2009 Environmental sustainability - Friday, 13 February 2009 Parklands - Friday, 13 February 2009
Local drop-in Workshops The local drop-in workshops will explain the preferred option for the masterplan for the Olympic Park with a focus on each specific topic. They include: London borough of Newham - Tuesday, 10 February 2009 London borough of Tower Hamlets - Wednesday, 11 February 2009 London borough of Hackney - Thursday, 12 February 2009 London borough of Waltham Forest - Saturday, 14 February 2009
Further information: [email protected].
Westminster Police – Faith Newsletter In February, Westminster Police will be launching their own internal Faith Newsletter that will go to all Westminster Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and civil staff. The newsletter will aim to raise awareness within the Police of Westminster’s faith communities.
If you would like to include details of event, news item or other community related article, please contact the Westminster Police Faith Liaison Officer, Dan Finn (PC 4273CW) at [email protected] or on 0207 641 1799.
Faiths Forum for London – Survey for faith leaders The Faith Forum for London is undertaking a research project across all 32 London Boroughs to try to find out what work is being done by faith communities to improve the lives, wellbeing and opportunities of Londoners, especially those disadvantaged socially or economically.
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The aim of this project is to assess areas where there may be an overlap of provision or a lack of provision. The full report will be made available to all faith communities.
By taking the time to fill in the questionnaire you will not only help to provide a London wide overview of services that are currently available but you will also be able to use the results as evidence for any fund raising you may do in the future to provide services that are currently lacking. You can access the survey online at www.londonfaithsurvey.org.uk
If you have any difficulty in getting access to the survey, or require a hard copy to be sent to you, please contact Harmander Singh at the London Faith Forum on 020 8709 9778.
Project Mosaic Project Mosaic is a global tolerance, anti-hate charity that uses education to promote interfaith and intercultural tolerance, multicultural good citizenship and integration of immigrant communities, and to combat group hatred and extremism.
Project Mosaic was created in memory of New York Firefighter Lieutenant David J Fontana who gave his life while rescuing people at the World Trade Centre in New York City following the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Project Mosaic supports and runs educational programmes and initiatives, including: Teaching tools for schools to promote multicultural good citizenship and combat group hatred Global Citizen Champions Programme, with inspiring “global citizens” giving talks at schools Citizenship courses for immigrants and their descendants Educational exchanges for teenagers in the UK, US and Middle East Lecture series on interfaith and intercultural tolerance and related issues
For more information please contact Kat Callo on 0207 853 2282 or email [email protected]
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“Refreshing Church” – Hugh Price Lectures 2009 Hinde St Methodist Church invites you to the Hugh Price Hughes Lecture series for 2009 entitled “Refreshing Church”. Lectures are held at Hinde St Methodist Church, Hinde St, London W1U 2QJ. Admission is free. Lecture dates and topics include:
* 10th February, 7.30pm – Christopher Jamison on “Church as Sanctuary” *10th March, 7.30pm – Dion Forster on “Revolution or Evolution? Considering the impact of ‘emerging church’ conversations on the mission and ecclesiology of established churches” * 21st April, 7.30pm – Grace Davie on “Understanding Religion in modern Britain: the factors to take into account” *12th May, 7.30pm – Jonathon Bartley on “Sedition, subversion and anarchy: the church’s emerging political mission” *9th June, 7.30pm – Trevor Dennis on “Fresh expression of God. The God who runs up the road to meet us, and then…”
For more information visit www.hindestreet.org.uk
KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Special briefing for faith leaders on Westminster’s Contingency Plan for Major Emergencies 12th February, 2pm – 5pm at City Hall, 64 Victoria St, London SW1E 6QOP. Contact Clinton Geeves if you would like to attend on [email protected] or 020 7641 3247
Special event on Community Cohesion 26th February, 5.30pm at Westminster Academy, 255 Harrow Road, London W2 5EZ. To confirm your attendance contact Nazia Mirza on [email protected] or 020 7641 3047.
Next meeting of the Westminster Faith Exchange 25th March, 5.30pm at the Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London W9 1QB Please contact Clinton Geeves on [email protected] or 020 7641 3247 for more information. Agenda and papers will be sent to you in early March.
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UPCOMING FESTIVALS
February 2009 8th – Parinirvana (Buddhist) 9th – Yuan Xiao festival (Chinese) 9th – Tu B’Shevat (Jewish) 16th – Arbaeen (Shia Muslim) 24th – Demise of Prophet Mohammad (Shia Muslim) 24th – Shrive Tuesday (Christian) 25th – Ash Wednesday, Lent begins (Christian) 23rd – Maha Siva Ratri (Hindu)
March 2009 2nd – Meher roj Parab (Zoroastrian) 3rd – Hanamastsuri (Buddhist) 9th – The Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday (Muslim) 10th – Holi and appearance of Caitanya Mahaprabhu (Hindu) 10th - Purim 11th – Parinirvana (Chinese Mahayana Buddhist) 11th – Hola Mahalla (Sikh) 15th – Kuan Yin Puasa’s Birthday (Buddhist) 20th – Hamaspath-maedaya (Zoroastrian) 21st – Naw Ruz (Baha’i New Year) 22nd – Mothering Sunday (Christian) 26th – Ava roj Parab (Zoroastrian) 26th – Khordad Sal (Zoroastrian)
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