The purpose of the survey is to identify and describe the wide ranging and positive contributions that faith organisations and groups make to community life in South Gloucestershire.

This will include: -

• supporting community activities
• Use of buildings
• Providing services to the local community
• The contribution of volunteers
• Prepare a database of faith organisations in South Gloucestershire
• Encourage networking between faith communities
• Identify financial significance and implications of faith based activity
• Sources of funding for faith based activities including S106 planning gain opportunities
• Value of faith based activities
• Identify new opportunities for faith based activity in South Gloucestershire
• Raise awareness of public bodies and voluntary sector / community organisations about the contribution made by faith communities and improve dialogue.

The project will be overseen by a steering group comprised of representatives of South Gloucestershire Faith Forum, South Gloucestershire Council, relevant voluntary and community sector organisations and any other funding bodies.  It is due to start in September 2008.

For more information contact:
Alistair Beattie
Development Officer
Faithnetsouthwest
162 Pennywell Road
Bristol BS5 0TX

Tel: 0117 304 2298