A ‘Big Society’ event promoting partnership working between faith groups and civic agencies was held for almost 200 people at Chester Cathedral.
Lord Mayor of Chester Bob Rudd was among 180 people to attend Link Up’s Faith in the Community event with key speakers including Cheshire West and Chester Council chief executive Steve Robinson, Bishop of Birkenhead Keith Sinclair and Matt Bird, chair of the Cinnamon Network, who helps organisations build relationships
Performing was Fallen Angels Dance Theatre, a Chester-based group who work with people recovering from drug and alcohol dependencies.
The promotional flyer for the event, where 25 groups also exhibited, read: “In times of economic and social change, communities have time and again demonstrated extraordinary hope and resilience.
Faith groups are often at the heart of these communities with a rich heritage of facilities, service and care. Today, old barriers between faith groups and civic agencies are being replaced by engagement and partnership for the good of the whole community.”
Rector of Chester, Rev David Chesters OBE, who did not attend the event, welcomed partnership working saying “faith communities have always worked together in the past” but said organisations must be properly resourced to be effective. Press reports have previously highlighted how his church at St Peter’s by The Cross has increasingly been called upon to care for the city’s homeless population.
“I cannot comment on the event. I wasn’t there. As far as we are concerned, we always do our best,” Rev Chesters told The Chronicle when asked for a comment. “The church and the faith community will always do its best for the homeless and the vulnerable but unless we are funded we can’t do much.”
