Health and emergency services
Local inter faith bodies can be invaluable resources for bodies such
as hospitals and services such as the police or fire service. Some
have worked closely with these to assist on projects to serve users of
different faiths. In some areas, such as the London Borough of
Enfield, public bodies such as the police have not simply consulted
with local inter faith groups, they have been key movers in developing
local inter faith initiatives.
Having been involved for some time in the community involvement side
of Probationer Training, we have become close partners with Suffolk
Constabulary and are helping to develop the inter-faith/multi-cultural
dimension of police training at all levels. We serve on the Police
Diversity Programme Board and are a first port of call for support and
advice in emergencies and various matters connected to community
safety and cohesion. We now receive some funding from the police to
support our work with Muslims.
Suffolk Inter-Faith Resource |
In recent years, a number of inter faith groups and councils have been
working with their local hospitals and hospices to ensure that these
can meet the needs of patients of different faiths. This can involve:
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helping find
a list of clergy and lay people of the various faiths to be involved
in chaplaincy and visiting
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advising on
dietary issues
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discussing
matters such as requirements for single sex wards
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offering
training on the faith aspects of diversity
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Medway Inter Faith Action Forum has established a
link with the Wisdom Hospice in Rochester. Regular inter faith
prayers are said in the chapel by members of local faith
communities. The Hospice staff have been supplied with
instruction booklets on the care, traditions and practices
surrounding death, dying and bereavement of the different faith
communities of which their patients and their families are
members. These now form part of the staff training.
Representatives from some of the local faith communities gave
talks to staff. These started by outlining the basic beliefs and
structures of their religions before moving on to speak about
the beliefs and practices surrounding death, dying and
bereavement in their different traditions. This is beyond what
is currently offered by the chaplains.
A similar link has been established with Medway Maritime
Hospital in Gillingham. The provision of a 'quiet room' with the
necessary resources within the hospital to serve all religions
is under discussion. In addition plans are being made for staff
training days that will include visits to local places of
worship. It is hoped that this will be the start of an enduring
and fruitful relationship that serves to educate both the
hospice and hospital staff about important faith issues and the
local faith communities about the excellent work carried out by
them.
Medway Inter Faith Action Forum |
Useful links
Multi-Faith
Group for Healthcare Chaplaincy
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In this section
Find a local inter faith
body
Getting started
Checklist
Aims and names
Venues for meetings
Practical matters
Membership patterns
Groundrules
Constitutions
Calendar matters
Catering for events
Times for meetings
Media
Statements
Web sites
Financial issues
Charitable status
Volunteers and staff
Premises
Local Authorities
Local Strategic Partnerships
Activities
Awareness raising
Charity fundraising
Discussion meetings
Diversity training
Environmental
projects
Health and emergency services
Joint events
Special events
Multi faith civic ceremonies
Pilgrimages
Prayer and worship
Responding to tensions
Social gatherings
Trips and exchanges
Visiting places of worship
Women
Working with schools
Young people
Local Inter Faith Survey
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