In data published by the North West Regional Development Agency in 2005, Faith Groups were demonstrated to be present and active in areas both of affluence and deprivation in urban and rural settings. With over 45,000 faith volunteers and premises made available at neighbourhood level, Faith Communities and Groups made a net £90-95 million annual contribution to civil society in the
North West .
During 2010, Link Up has undertaken a full audit of the Faith Sector across
West Cheshire . Based on the work and methodology of the Saltbox Christian Centre in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire the key findings include:
254 Faith Communities and Groups across
West Cheshire of which 56% (144) responded to this Audit.
420 community initiatives serving 11,000+ users (nearly 6,000 weekly) mobilising 2,000+ volunteers and 47,000+ volunteer hours.
This represents an annual contribution of nearly £275,000 to civil society in
West Cheshire based on the national minimum wage.
If our sample is representative, this rises to nearly £490,000 from 740+ projects engaging 3,500+ volunteers drawn from nearly 20,000 people regularly attending a place of worship on a weekly basis. That equates to 6.08% of the total population, based on 2007 population figures.
Faith Communities and Groups directly employ 150+ people.
Having presented Audit outcomes to our sponsors, Link Up are hosting a launch event in the Autumn of 2010. With a mixture of presentation, discussion and informal networking it will aim to gather the Faith Sector together with community partners and agencies from across
West Cheshire.
This event will be free of charge, open to all and held at All Saints’ Church in Hoole on Thursday 30th September 2010. We will start at 10.30 for coffee and aim to end with lunch by 14:00.
If you would like to attend this launch event, then please register your interest with Hazel Gilbert at office@linkup.uk.net or by calling 01244 343464.
For more information about Link Up’s Faith Sector Audit contact Gary Atkins
Click here for more information about Faith in England’s Northwest
Click here for more information about Saltbox’s Faith Action Audit
It's not too late to complete and return your questionnaire! Whilst the initial outcomes are being launched during the Autumn of 2010, Link Up will be developing and maintaining a directory of Faith Communities, Groups and projects across West Cheshire.
As part of our Audit preparation, we sought to engage with all Faith Communities and Groups across the region. If you are part of such a group; aware of others, or have affiliates elsewhere within
West Cheshire who may have not received a questionnaire by post, then you can download the documents here. Alternatively, contact Hazel Gilbert at office@linkup.uk.net who can arrange for a pack to be mailed to you.
 Click here to download the Faith Sector Audit Questionnaire
Click here to download the Faith Sector Audit Guidance Notes
The following groups sponsored the Faith Sector Audit:
At Link Up we are committed to protecting your privacy. This statement is made in the light of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and in order to alert valued contacts to Link Up’s data processing practices which will govern the processing of your data. If you have any queries about this statement please contact the Data Protection Supervisor at the Link Up Office Hoole Lighthouse Centre Westminster Road Hoole CH2 3AU Tel 01244343464
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