Dozens of people came together to celebrate the positive difference Near Neighbours are making in the Black Country.
Near Neighbours brings people together who are near neighbours in communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse, so that they can get to know each other better, build relationships of trust, and collaborate together on initiatives that improve their local community.
A range of local projects were asked to share the work they had done funded by Near Neighbours at the event at Bilston Peoples Centre.
Friendship and a greater understanding was the common theme of the day. Alvine Dongmo-Noumey from Migrant Empowerment Group shared the importance of migrants having a place to meet and build friendships. Inspired by her own experiences Alvine established a regular sewing and embroidery class funded by Near Neighbours were new arrivals can meet and chat over guided activities.
Haroon Ravat from Walsall Council shared how working with local faith groups and Near Neighbours has improved the provision for the homeless in Walsall. It is thanks to the efforts of faith groups that the homeless in Walsall can access a proper hot meal," he said.
The event was also an opportunity to share news of the Near Neighbours Great Get Together which is taking place in June in memory of MP Jo Cox. Organisations and faith groups were encouraged to think about what they could do to bring people together in their community.
The Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, a trustee of Near Neighbours since 2011, closed the event with his own reflections on the importance of interfaith work.
Reflecting on the story of the Good Samaritan, he said: The work of Near Neighbours is crucial in encouraging people to cross the road across faith boundaries. It is about communities using their own resources and commonly held assets to proactively offer help and create partnerships from a starting point of compassion.
Near Neighbours is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). It is administered through the Church Urban Fund (CUF) and is part of the Transforming Communities Together joint venture between Lichfield Diocese and CUF.
Find out more about Black Country Near Neighbours here
Pictured top: From left, Hafsah Abdullah (from Masjid Usman Smethwick), Alvine Dongmo-Noumey (who runs Migrant Empowerment Group in Wolverhampton), Jenny Cannings (from Holy Trinity Smethwick), Black Country Near Neighbours Coordinator Ruth Burgess, Michelle Gooden (from Smethwick Churches Action Network).