KEY members of West Midlands faith and community groups are coming together to help improve the lives of all residents.
Organised by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) the new Faith Strategic Partnership Group is bringing together 19 representatives from five religions.
They were chosen from 84 applicants who applied to join the group back in October.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The work of local faith groups is highly valued, especially the strong contribution they have made during the pandemic. They have helped spread the word to their communities about everything from safety messages to support available to businesses.
“A very strong field of applicants was received for a small number of places so I am sure this new group will make a significant contribution to the recovery of the West Midlands.”
Faith group chair Amrick Singh Ubhi.
Members of the group will identify priority areas and strategies to tackle these from a faith perspective.
The group’s priority will be to support the WMCA’s Covid-19 response, especially around the issue of health inequalities highlighted by the recent Regional Health Impact of Covid report.
Just over three years ago a faith steering group was created to work with the Mayor’s office and the WMCA.
For the past nine months the group has supported WMCA’s faith briefings which bring together faith groups by holding weekly online meetings.
The virtual round tables provide faith leaders and representatives with updates on Covid-19 from local authorities and public health experts, and on funding and support available and the opportunity to hold to account each week’s panel about issues that directly affect their communities.
Chair of the Faith Strategic Partnership Group and chair of the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras, Birmingham and centre director at the Nishkam Centre, Amrick Singh Ubhi said: “The new members were chosen on the basis that they have the strategic capacity and foresight to ensure faith makes a strong contribution to the work of the region.
“We were particularly keen to include younger faith representatives so we can contribute to the development of the faith leaders and advocates of the future.
“We are passionate about calling upon all the amazing individuals who expressed an interest to join and involve them in future discussion. We are also indebted to the outgoing Faith Steering Group who have to pave the way for this next phase.”
