Faith groups have been encouraged to strengthen collaboration with local councils, to reach the vulnerable and develop rapid responses to crises. 

An independent study of Faith Covenants, first established in 2013 to build trust with local government and recognise the role faith providers play in their communities, has found the agreements have strengthened relationships and provide a framework for collaboration. 

The evaluation found Covenants had promoted effective and quick responses in moments of crisis, such as the Covid pandemic and community tension. 

There are now 33 Covenants in place, covering 12 million people in Britain, having been introduced by the organisation FaithAction and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society.  The review, undertaken by the Centre for Inclusive Education and Coventry University, was unveiled at a Westminster event on Tuesday. 

Zöe Franklin MP, a Christian and chair of the parliamentary group, told Premier Christian News that “now is the time” for church and other faith leaders to engage with their councils and influence the future of their area, with current local government reorganisation being a time to “embed [Covenants] into their culture”.

“It's faith organisations who are working across any divides that exist and also doing a lot of the work. Over the last 10 years or so, we've seen how there's less money available to local governments to do the sort of things that are ‘nice to have’. But the ‘nice to haves’ are also really essential. That could be youth work, that could be helping people who are struggling. 

“Faith leaders know their communities really well, so they will often be able to spot where there is a gap where there is a need. So it is important for them to be working with local government, otherwise you can miss people who fall through the gaps”, she said. 

Franklin, who was elected as the MP for Guildford in 2024, explained how she has seen positive collaboration come out of the Covid pandemic. A church-run community fridge, other community groups and the council have created a “seamless referral route” to support those in need. 

Faith Action’s national executive director Daniel Singleton described faith groups as “the first in and last out” in responding to crises like Covid, the Grenfell Tower fire, and social unrest.

Singleton told Premier that groups had so much more to offer, but they “don’t realise what they provide” in their services and community value, whatever location. He believes a barrier can be faith leaders “not speaking using the same terminology or jargon” as government bodies, and vice versa.

The government’s focus on social cohesion, and the Prime Minister’s pledge to bring about a “patriotic renewal” of communities, now is being seen as a time when faith groups can step up and serve their areas in a number of ways. Researchers highlighted faith’s capacity to have trusted local relationships, rapid mobilisation of volunteers and community insight, among others.