Co-hosted with Sandwell Council

We are looking to bring together Faith and Community Leaders across the Black Country (Sandwell, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Walsall) to highlight the good practise and strong links built with Sandwell Faith communities and the value of engaging with faith communities to inform programmes and policies and as partners.

Marketplace

Upon arrival, there will be a marketplace allowing attendees to network and connect with faith community colleagues.

Summary of event

The event will be opened with colleagues sharing how they have benefitted from strong relationships with local faith communities and the importance of partnership working. We will then move into a Panel discussion to set to context and tone for the event, which will include a representative mix of local Faith Leaders. We will explore the importance of faith communities, wanting to be heard and listened to, and examples of when those partnerships have worked well.

Finally, there will be four workshops for attendees to choose from (each attendee will choose their 1st, 2nd and 3rd preference upon registering for the event).

Details of the workshops are below

Workshop 1 – Update of Faith Covenant

The Faith Covenant was signed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) in September 2023 and is a joint commitment by faith communities, local authorities and other stakeholders to a set of principles that promote open, practical working on all levels. Since then, we have had a new leadership with Mayor Richard Parker and international conflicts and recent riots so we would like to explore if the Faith Covenant needs updating.

Workshop 2 – Inclusive Communities Approach

As part of the Commonwealth Legacy Enhancement Fund, WMCA is developing an Inclusive Communities Approach. This looks to take a people and place centred approach to improving residents’ lives and wellbeing, looking beyond economic growth. Find out more about the approach and have the opportunity to shape the approach in its development.

Workshop 3 – Mental Health for Faith Communities

Sandwell Public Health, in partnership with WMCA have commissioned culturally sensitive Mental Health workshops for Faith communities across Sandwell. The aim of the programme is to train Faith Leaders to enable them to provide Mental Health support to their communities tailored to their Faith and provide effective signposting to local mental health provision. This workshop will allow Faith leaders to shape the content of the workshops.

Workshop 4 – Civic Leadership

WMCA in partnership with local Faith Leaders and the Race Equality Taskforce members, are developing a Civic Leadership Programme to grow and develop existing Faith Leaders. Colleagues would like your insights in order to co-design the programme.

The aim of these workshops is to co-design and co-produce programmes and policies with you, so you can see tangible outcomes from your valuable insights. We hope you can join us, united to make positive change in our region.

Dietary Requirements

Food will be vegetarian/vegan. Late requests for any further requirements may not be able to be accommodated.

Travelling to the event

By public transport

Bus

All the buses detailed below serve Bromford Lane, which is a 6-minute walk to Bethell Convention Centre.

3 West Bromwich to Merry Hill via Oldbury and Blackheath
3A West Bromwich to Blackheath via Oldbury
4 Walsall to Blackheath via Stone Cross, West Bromwich and Oldbury
4H Walsall to Hayley Green via Stone Cross, West Bromwich, Oldbury, Blackheath & Halesowen 4M Walsall to Merry Hill via Stone Cross, West Bromwich, Oldbury, Blackheath & Cradley Heath

The walking route from the bus stop is shown in the picture below.

By train

Sandwell and Dudley is the nearest train station and is a 11-minute walk to Bethell Convention Centre.

It is also served by the buses listed in the “by bus” section.

The walking route from the station is shown in the picture below.

By car

There is plenty of parking spaces in the car park – postcode is B70 7JW.

Address is Kelvin Way, West Bromwich.