In June 2025, over 27 faith and community leaders from Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, and Havering participated in a series of Faith and Community Resilience Training sessions, organised by the London Boroughs Faiths Network (LBFN) and local partners. One final session is scheduled for 1 July 2025.
The training was designed to equip local faith leaders with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively during emergencies and support their communities in times of crisis.
Highlights included:
- Engaging discussions on building trust between faith groups and statutory agencies
- A spotlight on local initiatives such as Redbridge’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) campaign – #ThisHasToStop, which encourages the role of faith leaders in promoting safety and supporting survivors
- Inspiring participant feedback, with one leader stating: “After this training, I feel a much greater responsibility to act and support my community.”
The first session also featured a valuable intervention by Emily Coatham, who spoke about the vital role of the London Communities Emergency Partnership (LCEP) in strengthening local preparedness. She emphasised the importance of building connections before a crisis occurs, highlighting that in times of emergency, it’s about asking “How are you?” rather than “Who are you?”—a reminder to lead with compassion and humanity in our responses.
LCEP videos were shown during the session, which provide useful guidance on building community resilience.
A big thank you to all who attended!
