Religion in Devon

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Religion in Devon figures from 2001 census
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Our aims and objectives

• THE CORE
• Bringing people together, to develop
  understanding and help create stronger
  communities and neighbourhoods

• Support faith groups in social community action
• Help them to be heard at strategic level
• Help them to link with other organisations

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What have we done?

• Support faith groups in social community action

• Faith in Action in the South West
• Funding advice
• Community development training
• Briefings
• Communication faithnews, E-bulletin, website

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What have we done?

• Help the voices of faith to be heard at strategic
  level

• LOCAL
• Faith Fora
• REGIONAL
• Hearing from Faith
• Faith and Equality and Diversity
• Representing Faith
• NATIONAL
• Face to Face Side by Side inter faith and
  social action strategy

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Issues for people of faith in Devon

• Lack of information
• Danger of isolation
• Not feeling they belong
• Misunderstanding and prejudice
• Need ways of making issues of concern heard

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How can we support faith groups

• Strategic representation Devon faith Forum
• Reach out go and meet groups where they are
• Social events music, food and dancing bring
  people together

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How can we support faith groups

• Issues of common concern bring people together
  faith groups have more in common than most people
  realise
• A survey of the work in the community of faith
  groups it will show the issues of concern,
  resources available and help identify diverse
  faith groups

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• With regards to faith, the largest two religions
  after Christianity, in terms of worshippers, are
  Islam and Buddhism.
• There are 2,687 Muslims in Devon (0.25 of the
  population), with 855 in Exeter (0.77) and 890
  in Plymouth (0.37).
• Buddhists constitute 2,364 of the countys
  populace (0.22), with 378 in Exeter (0.34) and
  481 in Plymouth (0.20)
• Case Study Devon Association Of CVS Learning and
  Skills
• Development Partnership Case Study
  www.niace.org.uk/projects/learningfromexperience/c
  asestudies/DevonLSDP.htm

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Some indicative statistics

• Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) population in
  rural districts has increased 107 between
  1991-2001.
• 72 of BME population live in rural areas
• Devon County Council website
• There has been a 50 increase in migrant workers
  in Devon from 2006-2007
• Devon Racial Equality Council

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The contribution of faith groups to the community

• Percentage of faith groups providing resources
  for
• Arts and music 30
• Education 26
• Housing/homelessness 26
• Older people 38
• Young people 44
• Toddlers 38
• Children 49

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The contribution of faith groups to the community

• Percentage of faith groups providing resources
  for
• Fairtrade 47
• Schools 57
• Hospitals 24
• Nursing Homes 32
• Based on information from Faith in Action
  Faithnetsouthwest (2006) and database produced
  from reports returned questionnaires

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Contact Devon Faith Forum

• www.devonfaiths.org.uk/
• Christian contact Martyn Goss,
  martyn_at_exeter.anglican.org
• Church of England, Diocese of Exeter Council for
  Church and Society
• Tel [phone]

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• Islamic Centre of the South West

Islamic Centre of the South West12-13 York
RoadExeterEX4 6PG Tel [phone] www.exetermo
sque.org.uk
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• Bahai contacts
• ExeterJoyce SherwaniTel 01392 279922
• Torbay and South Devon
• Jan MughrabiTel 01803 556632

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• Judaiism contact
• Tony Reese
• Address - The Synagogue, Mary Arches Street,
  ExeterEmail - tony.reese_at_mail.com

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Contact us

• Director Heather Pencavel
• Development Officer Alistair Beattie
• Office 162 Pennywell Road
• Bristol BS5 0TX
• Tel [phone]
• Email info_at_faithnetsouthwest.org.uk
• Website www.faithnetsouthwest.org.uk

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Questions and comments?