London: Faith & Belief Community Awards

The work of Caritas St Joseph's in Barnet and Benedictine Fr James Leachman OSB from Ealing, were among 40 projects to be recognised at the London Faith & Belief Community Awards ceremony last Tuesday.

The Awards are an initiative of the Faith & Belief Forum, supported by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Greater London's Council on Faith.

The Awards were set up to shine a light on the inspiring work done by the different faith organisations to make London a city where everyone belongs and feels welcome. Each winning project was given £500 to further their work.

Phil Champain, Director of the Faith & Belief Forum, said: "At a time when there is so much division in society, it is more important than ever to celebrate those who work to bring people together. The individuals and organisations celebrated at the London Faith & Belief Community Awards provide vital services that often go unrecognised. Their work helps ensure that people of all backgrounds and beliefs feel welcome and safe in this great city."

David Dangoor DL, Chair of the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London's Council, said: "The projects recognised are really the cohesive force of London. The standard and ingenuity of their work is outstanding and we are greatly impressed by the dedication and attentiveness of those involved to meet the needs of their community. Through this event we witness the power faith and belief groups generate in the civic life of London."

Full list of award-winners:

Health and Wellbeing

British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) - Newham
Mael Gael Multicultural Community Project - Ealing
London Non-Religious Pastoral Care Team - Islington
Croydon Association for Pastoral Care in Mental Health (APCMH) - Croydon
Caritas St Joseph's - Barnet
Growbaby and Kingston Vineyard - Kingston upon Thames
Chizuk - Hackney
Christian Kitchen - Waltham Forest

Improving access to services

Barnet Refugee Service - Barnet
Testing Faith - Hammersmith and Fulham
Shree Jalaram Mandir and Community Centre - Ealing

Inspiring Youth

Jagruti: Awakening - Brent
Basics of Sikhi Sunday Katha - Bexley
Maternal Aid Association (Maa) - Southwark
Angell Delight Community Centre - Lambeth
Running with the Vision project - Enfield
Moishe House London - Brent
Triangoals - Barking and Dagenham

Interfaith Relations

Bexley Interfaith Forum - Bexley
Barnet Multi-Faith Forum - Barnet
Open Iftar - Camden
Conservative Muslim Forum - Westminster

Peace and reconciliation

Forgotten Heroes 14-19 Foundation - Hammersmith and Fulham
Imaan LGBTQI Muslim Support - Tower Hamlets
Power the Fight - Lewisham

Promoting inclusion

BARKA UK - Redbridge
Black and Muslim in Britain - Camden
Yog Foundation - Bexley
Sarbat - Islington
African Portuguese Speaking Community - Newham
Naz Legacy Foundation, Diversity Programme - Wandsworth
Speak Street - Camden

Supporting Women

Selam Conversation - Croydon
Nisa-Nashim - Camden
Muslimah Sports Association - Redbridge
Hillingdon Asian Women Group - Hillingdon
Hear Women Foundation - Westminster
Women in Mosques Development Programme - Tower Hamlets
Roshni-2 Project - Waltham Forest
All Women's Network - Barking and Dagenham

Inspirational Individuals

Pastor Isaac Attram - Greenwich
Iatedal Jawad - Brent
James Leachman - Ealing
Ruth Finkel - Brent
Rev Herbert Aparanga - Greenwich
Dr Harjinder Kaur - Westminster
Ani Barbara Shannon - Lambeth
Shailen Patel - Harrow

Read more about the Faith and Belief Forum (formerly the Three Faiths Forum) here: https://faithbeliefforum.org