Minutes
2023
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Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum: Mayor's Community Grants Programme
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Monday, 16th October 2023
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Many local organisations applied for funding from the recent Tower Hamlets Mayor's Community Grants Programme. Lots of organisations will have missed out on being awarded funding however, the total amount of grant funding was £3.5m but £11.3m worth of applications were submitted.
We are focusing on this to congratulate organisations that were awarded funding, and to support those that missed out.
Did you miss out on funding? Join us to hear from Tower Hamlets Council on other upcoming opportunities that you may be eligible to apply for, including the upcoming small grants programme.
We wil also be hearing from Atikur Rahman, of Wapping Bangaldesh Association, one of the successful applicants, on their funding journey, challenges encountered, and their upcoming planned projects.
More speakers tba!
At the end of the meeting we will have a short EGM, where new members will be voted onto our Steering Group.
Come along and get involved to have your say on funding in the borough. All are welcome and tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.
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Forum Meeting: Have your say! Pressing issues & local priorities
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Monday, 5th June 2023
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Come along to our next Tower Hamlets Inter Faith forum meeting, where we focus on new emerging work from Tower Hamlets Council. This meeting is hybrid - join online or in person
The council’s new budget will provide investment into lots of areas that will benefit the community, including cost of living support, young people, community safety and climate change.
£7m has been approved to help tackle climate change, including electric waste vehicles, EV charging points and low carbon fuel. We will be joined by Abdul Kahn from the council’s Sustainable Development Team, who will provide information on incentives and support that will benefit faith settings and residents.
Community safety is also a big priority – the councils Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Hate Crime team are working hard to tackle these crimes by providing training for leaders to identify and respond effectively and appropriately to issues relating to VAWG. We will be joined by Menara Ahmed of the VAWG team to hear an update on their work, and how to get involved.
Patrice Buddington of the LIFT Futures team will join us to inform of their work supporting residents into jobs in the Digital and Tech sector.
Join us to hear about these important pieces of work, and share your views too.
We will also have our regular slots including an update on the work of THIFF, a report on hate crimes by Met Police, an information sharing slot for attendees, and networking.
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Monday, 30th January 2023 -
Forum Meeting: Safer Communities
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Join us for our first forum meeting of 2023!
Feedback gathered last year showed that the top concern for many residents is crime. Our forum meeting will ask the question, what else can be done to build a safer community, and what part do faith groups play?
Join us to discuss concerns, challenges and solutions - share your experiences of work that tackles crime, and find out what initiatives are happening locally.
Featuring guest speakers:
- Superintendent Andy Port, Neighbourhood Policing, Central East – Hackney and Tower Hamlets
- Krzystof Rycerz, Hate Crime Officer, Central East – Hackney and Tower Hamlets
- Councillor Ohid Ahmed & Charles Griggs, on Safer Communities - London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Abidah Kamali - Tower Hamlets Partnership Plan, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
The meeting includes a slot for attendees to share news of any events and projects and tea and biscuits will be provided.
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2022
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Forum Meeting: Supporting People from Ukraine & Refugees
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Monday, 13th June 2022 -
Forum Meeting: Supporting People from Ukraine & Refugees
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Forum Meeting: Postitive Activities for Young People
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Monday, 14th March 2022 -
Forum Meeting: Positive Activities for Young People
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Join us at our next Forum meeting that is looking at the positive activities on offer for young people in the borough.
Tower Hamlets has the highest child poverty rate of all the London boroughs, with 56% of children judged to be living in households in poverty. The effects of this can be wide ranging; all areas of a child’s life are adversely affected by poverty: home, school, health, friendships and more.
However, there are activities and support in the borough that give young people opportunities for personal development and to enhance their chances of reaching their goals, gaining self confidence and new skills along the way.
• What support is needed to enable our young people to achieve their goals?
• How are faith and community groups providing vital activities?
• What more can be done to give our young people the best start in life?
Panellists (more tba)Emma Achurch, Centre Manager, Spear Programme from St Peter’s Bethnal Green
This meeting will be in person - venue TBC
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Forum Meeting: Violence Against Women & Girls - Faith's Response
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Monday, 17th January 2022 -
Forum Meeting: Violence Against Women & Girls - Faith's Response
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Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is both a form of discrimination and a violation of human rights, which includes a wide range of abusive behaviours including physical, sexual, financial, emotional and psychological abuse.
Faith communities can play a big part in combating VAWG - some survivors with a faith feel that some specialist services and society, in general, are unable to understand their experiences of abuse, and their barriers to accessing support due to their religious identity or their faith community.
How can faith settings help? Come along and join the discussion
- Does your faith setting support women and girls that experience VAWG?
- How can your setting help women and girls?
Speakers:
Veronica Simpson, CEO of Back In Control Consultancy (BICC) - Faiths Against Domestic Abuse
Rep from Solace Women's Aid, a London based free advice and support to women and children in London to build safe and strong lives.
Also, hear about a brand new project from FaithAction & East London Mosque - Faith Health Action Partnership, a Tower Hamlets Public Health funded inititaive that seeks to find out out how faith settings are supporting the health of communites.
The meeting will also have an update on the work of THIFF from Revd Alan Green, chair of THIFF and an update on hate crime statistics from Met Police, along with the opportunity for attendees to share details of their work, projects or events.
Come along and join the discussion and share your experiences, thoughts and ideas.
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2021
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THIFF Forum Meeting: Dying Matters Awareness Week 2021
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Monday, 10th May 2021 -
Dying Matters Awareness Week 2021
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Join us at our next forum meeting that takes place during Dying Matters Awareness Week 2021.
Dying Matters believes in an open culture that talks about death, and where people feel able to listen and support those who are planning for end of life, who are dying and who have been bereaved.
Our meeting will look at Death Cafe's and how communities benefit from being able to to talk about death in a supportive environment, particularly during Covid-19 when meeting face to face has not been possible.
The Cafe's are a group directed discussion of death rather than a grief support or counselling session. We will be joined by Rev. April Keech who runs a Death Cafe in Tower Hamlets.
- Are you interested in starting a Death Cafe?
- What happens at a Death Cafe?
- How do Death Cafe's help people?
Panellist: Rev. April Keech, St Paul Old Ford
The meeting will also have:
- Updates on the work of THIFF from Revd Alan Green, chair of THIFF
- Updates on hate crime statistics from Met Police
- Opportunities for attendees to share details of their work, projects or events.
Show details
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Forum Meeting: Faith Groups & Mental Health
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Monday, 22nd March 2021 -
Faith Groups & Mental Health
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Join us for our next forum meeting that will be looking at mental health and the work that faith groups are doing to support their communities. Faith groups have long been a source of support for people way before the pandemic, but Covid-19 has highlighted just how much work is being done to help people that face mental health issues.
This support takes place in many different forms from coffee morning sessions to keep people socially connected, befriending calls to combat loneliness and isolation and more structured activities such support groups for people with depression and bereavement support.
This forum meeting will consider:
- How we can highlight the tremendous work that faith groups in the borough have been doing, particularly during the pandemic.
- How faith groups will have a big part to play as we emerge from the latest lockdown into the ‘new normal’.
- How statutory services can find out about the unique role faith groups play for people with mental health issues.
Panellist: Najnin Islam, Project Manager, Community Mental Health Transformation Programme, East London NHS Foundation Trust
More tbc
The meeting will also have an update on the work of THIFF from Revd Alan Green, chair of THIFF and an update on hate crime statistics from Met Police, along with the opportunity for attendees to share details of their work, projects or events.
Come along and join the discussion and share your experiences, thoughts and ideas.
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2020
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Financial Hardship
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Monday, 3rd August 2020 -
Financial Hardship
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The coronavirus has changed our lives in many ways; we are living through a health crisis that has many other adverse effects – one major concern is financial hardship.
Join us to discuss, share your stories and opinions and find out:
- How faith groups continue to work to support people facing financial hardship
- How the council is working to help people that are struggling
Speakers:
- Ellie Kershaw, Tackling Poverty Programme Delivery Manager, Tower Hamlets Council
- Revd Erin Clark, Trustee, Bethnal Green Foodbank
- Matt Dronfield, Head of Debt Free London, a Toynbee Hall partnership
- PC Shihab Miah, Faith Community Liaison, Met Police
Show details
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THIFF Online Forum Meeting: Faith, Communities & Coronavirus
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Monday, 1st June 2020 -
Faith, Communities & Coronavirus
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Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum Online Meeting: Faith, Community & Coronavirus
Speakers:
- Rev Alan Green, Chair of THIFF
- Mayor John Biggs, Tower Hamlets Council
- PC Rich Poolman, Metropolitan Police
Monday June 1, 2-4pm via Zoom
Register here
The Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum (THIFF) are pleased to announce our first online forum meeting. A lot has changed since we last came together for a forum meeting and it is vital that we all stand together in solidarity to face the current and future coronavirus challenges for Tower Hamlets. THIFF has been at the forefront, working with other partners to ensure that residents and faith groups can access clear guidance and messaging around a range of issues at this difficult time. So many faith and community groups have been tirelessly working to support their congregation and communities and we want to hear more from you.
Come along and join the discussion:
- How has your organisation fared during the lock-down?
- What have been your biggest challenges?
- How are you planning for the future and any issues that may arise?
We are very pleased that we will be joined by Mayor John Biggs – there will be an opportunity to put your questions to the Mayor. The Bishop of Stepney, Venerable Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell will also be in attendance. PC Poolman will provide an update on hate crime, along with an overview of the police’s work during the crisis, again there will be an opportunity for some questions.
The meeting will provide a great opportunity to connect and to share good practice with other faith and community groups and residents, providing an opportunity to support and learn from one another.
We hope to see you online!
Show details
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THIFF Forum Meeting: Education
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Monday, 20th January 2020 -
Education
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The first forum meeting of 2020 took place at Fern Street Family Centre, Fern Street, E3 3PS on Monday 20 January.
Our guest speakers were Kate Smith, Healthy Lives - Tower Hamlets Council, who spoke about the borough's sex and relationships curriculum. Representatives from CST, Community Safety Trust spoke to the forum about their free advice service on security for places of worship.
Plus the standing item on faith hate statistics from Met Police.
See the minutes below for a full rundown of the meeting.
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2019
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THIFF Forum Meeting: Homelessness
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Tuesday, 26th November 2019 -
Homelessness in Tower Hamlets
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Speakers:
Fleur Holley-Moore of Tower Hamlets Council updated the forum about their rough sleeping strategy and their partners in the borough that help deliver it.
Verna Coke of Spitalfields Crypt Trust updated the forum about the valuable work that goes on all year round.
Please see the minutes below for a full rundown.
Show details
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Monday, 29th July 2019 -
Loneliness in Tower Hamlets
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The Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum meeting will be looking at the issue of loneliness and social isolation in Tower Hamlets. People of all ages and backgrounds are affected by loneliness, which is proven to have an impact on health, increasing the likelihood of conditions such as heart disease and stroke.
The good news is that many local faith and community groups are working hard to combat loneliness, so come along and find out more, or to share your own story or concerns.
Confirmed speakers so far:
Michelle Lindson, Nature & Us (Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park)
Alex Smith, East London Cares (The Cares Family)
The meeting will be located on the ground floor.
Travel: Nearest station is Shoreditch High Street Rail Station (four-minute walk), the station is served by bus routes 26, 48, 135, 149 and 205.
Light refreshments will be available, so come along and join the discussion - everyone is very welcome!
Show details
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THIFF Forum Meeting: Knife Crime
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Monday, 3rd June 2019 -
Knife crime in Tower Hamlets
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Featuring Nathan Singleton, CEO of LifeLine Projects, Ryan Lynch of Good Shepherd Mission, and two representatives from the Met Police.
Show details
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Monday, 28th January 2019
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2018
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Monday, 3rd December 2018
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Tuesday, 10th July 2018
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THIFF Annual General Meeting 2018
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Tuesday, 8th May 2018
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Tuesday, 6th March 2018
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Tuesday, 16th January 2018
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2017
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Tuesday, 12th September 2017
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Wednesday, 12th July 2017
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Tuesday, 9th May 2017
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Tuesday, 7th March 2017
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THIFF Forum Meeting
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Tuesday, 17th January 2017
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