Key members of faith and community groups are being asked to join a new West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) group which will help improve the lives of local people.
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is working with faith communities to create a new faith strategic partnership group. It will work together and with the WMCA to respond to urgent challenges, including Covid-19 and its consequences.
Members of the group will identify priority areas and strategies to tackle these from a faith perspective. These areas are expected to include homelessness, education, employment, poverty, community relations and leadership. The group’s members will be expected to network within and beyond their communities and collaborate with other faith groups.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said: “I urge senior members of faith and community groups to seriously consider joining and also to spread the word within their communities.
“Local faith groups make a strong contribution to the work of the region and have been working with the WMCA throughout this pandemic. We need their strategic input to help steer the West Midlands towards recovery.”
Organisers are looking for a broad cross section of faith leaders to join the group, so the region is represented as fairly and evenly as possible. They want to hear from people from the wide variety of West Midlands faith communities, and they aim for the group to have a gender balance and represent all ages. The membership of this group must have the strategic capacity and foresight to ensure faith makes a strong contribution to the work of the region.
Just over three years ago a faith steering group was created to work with the Mayor’s office and WMCA. Over the past six months the group has supported WMCA’s faith briefings which bring together faith groups by holding weekly online meetings chaired by the Mayor. The virtual round tables provide faith leaders with updates on Covid-19 from local authorities and public health experts, and on funding and support available and the opportunity to grill each week’s panel about issues that directly affect their communities.
Following the outbreak of the pandemic vital voluntary services were set up by the wide range of faiths in the West Midlands to help anyone affected by the current crisis, regardless of belief. Their good work has been supported by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and highlighted on the WMCA website.
Cllr Brigid Jones, WMCA portfolio lead for inclusive communities and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council said: “We hope news of this opportunity will be shared among faith communities. Being a member of the new faith strategic partnership group is an important role as it will help influence action taken over a number of key issues that affect our region.”
Anyone who wants to join should complete an expression of interest form at https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/cPbc37 The closing date for applications is midnight on 26 October 2020. Any queries regarding this group or the role please email volunteers@wmca.org.uk
