COUNCIL VOICE
Multifaith communities come together for launch of Near Neighbours £3m expansion plan
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 8th March 2014
Tanveer Mann
In a move to strengthen, transform and improve local communities, the Department for Communities and Local Government have announced a £3million expansion of the hugely successful Near Neighbours programme across nine new areas of the country. This great initiative was announced at an intimate event on Thursday 27 February, at an extremely fitting location, the Rockingham Community Centre in Elephant and Castle – London, a borough which boasts its own multicultural, diverse populace. The launch was attended by a number of MPs, religious figures, community leaders, charities and volunteers, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles and Mayor of Southwark Councillor Abdul Mohamed. Launched by the Communities Secretary in 2011, Near Neighbours provides small grants and support to grassroots groups and multi-faith communities, recognising that local groups know what works best in their area. Funding is given to those communities which have significant religious diversity to help them run projects that will bring about lasting benefits to their neighbourhoods.
This new funding will enable projects to expand into Luton, Rochdale, Bury, Dewsbury, Leeds, Nottingham, North and West London and the Black Country. It will also further equip people with the skills, relationships and confidence to improve their local communities, building on the achievements on the first phase of Near Neighbours. The Chairman of the Near Neighbours project, Baroness Margaret Eaton, introducing the guests, said: “I do feel this morning is a real celebration. There are so many people who have made Near Neighbours such a good project and a success and today is a celebration of that.” Secretary Eric Pickles, enthusiastically, said: “It’s been terrific to see Near Neighbours go from strength to strength over the past three years, helping grass roots groups to improve the lives of those around them through practical action. These fantastic projects have been met with huge amounts of enthusiasm, creating a sense of lasting community spirit, and helping to transform
neighbourhoods in the process. This extra money is a real investment in our shared future that will enable Near Neighbours to reach many more communities so they can become even better places to live.” Some successful Near Neighbours projects to have benefitted from the small grants include a youth football team in East London – using sport to provide mentoring and development opportunities, a youth music programme in Oldham which has brought people together from different backgrounds and a community garden in Leicester created by local residents and school children
and enjoyed by the whole community. F a i t h M i n i s t e r , Baroness Warsi said: “We developed the concept of Near Neighbours many years ago – using the existing infrastructure of the Church to bring together people of all faiths. It was ambitious and it was challenging. But after three years, hundreds of small grants, and thousands of volunteers, this programme has proved one thing: that faith can make a real difference at the heart of our communities. So today I feel immensely proud to see Near Neighbours reaching out to more people, having more of a local impact, and showing more and more that faith is a positive force in our society.” At the event, Communities Minister Stephen Williams heard from an interfaith women’s group from the Rockingham estate in Southwark who have benefited from the Near Neighbours programme. The group consists of women from Sunni, Anglican, Methodist, Sufi, and Buddhist
backgrounds who have been meeting and building relationships amongst themselves for the past year. Stephen Williams said: “I’m delighted that this substantial new funding will enable Near Neighbours to bring real and lasting changes to many more communities across the country and look forward to seeing more projects than ever before in action.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, welcomed the additional funding and said: “This renewed funding is a recognition of the hard work and prayer put in over the last three years by hundreds of people from local faith communities supported by the national church and inter faith groups. That work has touched thousands of lives, strengthening the fabric of our society. We have heard some great stories from Near Neighbours over the last three years and we look forward to many more.” The event concluded with a tasty lunch of chicken briyani, samosas and other Asian delicacies, specially cooked by members of the Rockingham Community Centre. Guests were invited to come together to wrap up toiletries as gifts to give to the homeless, whilst a very talented member of the local interfaith woman's group offered her henna services to all guests present.
Asian Voice Youth Conference 28-29 March 2014
Asian Voice Youth Conference 28-29th March 2014 SATURDAY
Workshops
March 29, 2014
Networking Evening On Friday 28 March, we will be hosting a networking evening with drinks and canapés at PWC, More London Riverside. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers who will share their success stories, give motivational short talks to inspire and advise the younger generation, so that young people can fulfil their aspirations and get ahead in the world of work. There will be a scope to take part in Q&A. Date & Time: 28 March 2014, 6-8:30pm Venue: PWC, 7 More London Riverside, London SE1 2RT Age: 16+ RSVP: tanveer.mann@abplgroup.com
In Association With PwC Hindu Network, a part of PWC’s diversity networks, established since 2005, as the first Hindu professionals network in the City. Founder and Chair Nilesh Solanki wanted to create a platform to bring together Hindu professionals to collaborate, network and learn. Sunil Patel (Partner) and Umang Paw (Partner) are advisory board members, supporting the network strategically and managed by a team of 10. Their objectives are, to provide a meeting point for people of any belief, who follow, or are interested in the Hindu culture. The network, its meetings and events are open to all.
Confirmed Speakers
Rajeeb Dey
Founder and CEO, Enternships, Co-Founder, Start up Britain. Announced as the youngest Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, 2012
Roma Agrawal
Associate Structural Engineer, WSP Group. Only Asian woman to work on creating The Shard
Theme: The power to think differently, develop innovative business ideas and pursue your career ambitions through building effective interpersonal, entrepreneurial and leadership skills Time: 12.00 - 4.00pm Age: 16-30/Students
Register: tanveer.mann@abplgroup.com
WORKSHOPS I Building your brand: how to differentiate yourself - through extra curricular activities and networking I Using social media to advance your career: why it is so important and how you can use social media I What it takes to become an entrepreneur - key skills you need, how you can get started, helpful resources I Preparing for interviews: how to prepare in advance, how to present yourself on the day
Arjun
A British singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. Famous for the R&B cover version of 'Why this Kolavari di' which received 8 million views
COMPETITION FOR ORGANISATIONS: Any non profit/community organisation that will send the highest number of participants (between 16-35 years) will be eligible to win a free space in Asian Voice Editorial section for 6 months* If you want to take part in this competition and are affiliated to a certain organisation, mention the full name when * Terms and Conditions apply you register.
@ King's Cross Impact Hub
Competition Sponsors:
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34b York Way, City of London, N1 9AB
We are excited to announce that the Asian Voice Youth Conference Workshops will be held at one of London's most innovative and coolest spots - King's Cross Impact Hub. Dubbed the 'business incubator', the social enterprise community centre offers a unique place for resources, inspiration and collaboration opportunities - the perfect place to complement our theme this year!