Nearly 100 women representing six faith communities gathered at the University of Birmingham this week to confront rising hate crime, deepening deprivation and growing social divisions across the UK - and to share grassroots solutions already transforming local communities.
Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Bahá’í delegates attended the summit, convened by the Women’s Faith Forum, bringing together faith leaders, community organisers, academics and government officials for a day focused on practical action and social cohesion.
Delegates heard from Dame Sarah Healey, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, whose team engaged directly with participants on the government’s Pride in Place programme and efforts to rebuild trust and resilience in local communities.
The Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen, Bishop of Lynn, delivered a keynote address highlighting the challenges facing rural communities, including deprivation, isolation and farmer suicide, and the vital role women of faith play as “the bedrock” of community life.
Panels throughout the day explored the challenges of interfaith relationships in an increasingly polarised society, alongside examples of local and national initiatives led by women of faith to tackle division, loneliness, poverty and mistrust.
In a moving moment of commemoration for recent victims of hate crime, Joy Madeiros, Global CEO of Oasis Educational Trust and a founding member of the Women’s Faith Forum, reflected on the brutal antisemitic attack on a young Jewish man in Golders Green and the fatal shooting of Muslim worshippers at a mosque in San Diego - both occurring within 48 hours of the summit.
Delegates spoke about the importance of personal connection in divided communities, one telling delegates: “These problems are not solved with an email.”
Sajna Ali from Darlington reflected on identity and belonging in modern Britain, saying: “There are many ways to be British - for me it’s snooker, football, a halal pie and a pint of orange juice.”
Laura Marks CBE, co-founder of the Women’s Faith Forum, said: “At a time when hate crime and social division are rising, women of faith are doing the quiet, difficult work of holding communities together. They are trusted voices, bridge-builders and problem-solvers - yet too often excluded from decision-making. If government wants to create real change in communities under pressure, it must work in genuine partnership with faith groups and ensure women’s voices are heard.”
Organiser, Professor Jagbir Jutti-Johal OBE, co-founder of the Women’s Faith Forum said: “In every region of the country, faith organisations provide trusted spaces — leadership, volunteering networks, social action, wellbeing support, food provision, youth engagement, social prescribing, interfaith dialogue, and community care. And they have demonstrated repeatedly that they can mobilise quickly and effectively in times of challenge. Today showcases some great examples of that work.”
The Women’s Faith Forum brings together women from different faith backgrounds to strengthen social cohesion, tackle prejudice and support communities facing increasing pressure and division.
