Brent Community Updates
The Brent Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) actively collaborates with Brent Council to support and uplift the community through various initiatives and events.
This page is dedicated to providing community updates from the Brent Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) throughout the year. BMFF collaborates closely with Brent Council to enhance community well-being through various initiatives and events.
We are excited to announce that the Brent Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is featured in the latest edition of Your Brent Magazine! This recognition highlights the important work our organisation continues to do in promoting unity, understanding, and collaboration among Brent’s diverse faith communities.
Since its inception in 2003, BMFF has been dedicated to fostering dialogue and cooperation between people of all faiths and beliefs across the borough. Our inclusion in Your Brent Magazine shines a light on our efforts to build bridges, support community initiatives, and create a more harmonious Brent where everyone feels valued and respected.
We are proud to be part of Brent’s vibrant community and grateful for this opportunity to share our mission and work with a wider audience. Be sure to check out the latest issue of Your Brent Magazine to read more about BMFF and stay updated on our ongoing efforts to make Brent a place where all faiths can come together in peace and unity.
For more information, visit our website or contact us directly to learn how you can participate in our initiatives.
Together, let’s continue building a better, more inclusive Brent!
October 2024 Events and Updates
No Faith in Plastic: Say NO to Single-use Plastic
People of all faiths and none share a commitment to protecting the planet – and reducing single-use plastics. If you would like to help make a difference
- Local advocacy service
- Complain about NHS and council funded health and social care services
- Register with primary care
- Find local organisations and groups
LSE and Brent Council Symposium on The Connection Between Faith and Climate Action
Invitation – Symposium on ‘The Connection Between Faith and Climate Action.’
Tuesday 22 October, 10am – 2pm
Grand Hall, Brent Civic Centre, Wembley, HA9 0FJ
Brent Council and the London School of Economics Religion and Global Society research unit (LSE RGS) invite you to a Symposium on ‘The Connection Between Faith and Climate Action.’
LSE RGS will be presenting their policy and research work around faith and climate change – and the importance of working with faith communities to bring about positive behaviour change. Brent Council will also be showcasing their grassroots work with faith communities in the borough.
Faith and climate change context:
The vast majority of the world’s population follow a faith; in fact 85% identifies with a religious group (World Population Review: 2024). In the London Borough of Brent, 80% of residents follow a faith.
Working with faith communities to help change behaviours around climate action is extremely important, it’s also relevant because of how faiths view the importance of protecting the planet and bringing communities together.
LSE Faith and Climate Change:
Brent Council is proud to partner with LSE Religion and Global Society for this Symposium. LSE RGS is doing groundbreaking research and policy work on religion within the complexities of contemporary global concerns.
LSE RGS is an interdisciplinary research unit hosted by the LSE Faith Centre conducting, coordinating, and promoting religion-related social science research at LSE. LSE RGS is committed to considering religion not in isolation, but in its intersections with other global issues and challenges including climate change, gender, conflict, education, economics, and government. Through its research, LSE RGS seeks to bring evidence to diverse constituencies that faith inclusion and religious literacy can facilitate solutions to some of the greatest contemporary challenges.
The keynote speech by the Director of the LSE Faith Centre and LSE RGS, James Walters will include reflections on the unit’s research into the role of faith in climate action and justice, the importance of interfaith dialogue and cross-cultural religious literacy, and the distinction and overlap between secular and religious spaces.
Brent Council – Faith Climate Action:
Brent Council alongside the Brent Multifaith Forum and its sub-group, the Brent Faith Climate Action Group has launched several successful projects to engage faith communities on the ground in regards to climate action.
The Faith Climate Action group is made up of a group of faith leaders who are passionate about taking climate action and working with their congregations and the wider community to reduce carbon emissions and show kindness and compassion to the planet. The Faith Climate Group and Brent Council will be showcasing key projects to date.
This event is suited to policy makers, climate engagement specialists, local government councillors and staff, charities and climate activists.
Lunch will be provided. Please inform us on any specific dietary requirements.
We look forward to welcoming you to the event.
Free Event. Book now: Symposium on ‘The Connection Between Faith and Climate Action.’ Tickets, Tue, Oct 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
Statement by the Brent Multi-faith Forum Concerning the Recent Violence Perpetrated in the UK by Right-Wing Extremists
We the steering group members of the Brent Multi-faith Forum, deplore the politics of hatred, racism, and xenophobia. The riots perpetrated by right-wing extremists are a product of such fantasies and paranoias that are central to the malevolent values of fascism.[1]
In contrast, we hold that the root of all faith / no faith must consist of the safeguarding of all life through the exercise of kindness, compassion, and love. We support those of all faiths / no faith who are engaged in the work of dialogue, cooperation, conciliation, and justice. We celebrate differences, plurality, and inclusion.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has characterised the rioting as ‘far-right thuggery’ and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has emphasised the necessity for new forms of security for mosques. We hope that the resources will indeed be available for these words to be backed up by firm action. We hope, too, that the safety and dignity of those in Afro-Caribbean and African communities will be urgently protected, too, as these have long been targeted by such extremists. Although such racism and antisemitism are ongoing threats, the current riots are especially directed against the safety of Muslim communities.
We are highly aware that the current riots are but one facet of the polarisation encouraged by hate-mongers operating on social media. Foreign entities, such as the Russian government, are proven perpetrators of nefarious on-line activities designed to destabilise democracy in the UK and other countries. We urge our government to take much more effective action against all such on-line spreaders of hatred and false conspiracies, including educating the public in critical thinking and enacting stronger criminal legislation coupled with firm enforcement. If the UK is to sustain democracy and public safety, such measures must be pursued vigorously and consistently.
We wish strength to all who mourn the appalling loss of the three precious young lives in Southport. We wish a rapid and full recovery to all the wounded and, for all who are suffering directly as a result of this vicious act of violence, we cannot begin to imagine the overwhelming grief, pain, and trauma.
We remain deeply committed to the safety and welfare of those of all faiths / no faith in Brent. There is no excuse for Islamophobia, racism, antisemitism, or any other hate crime. Exacerbating communal tensions will not be tolerated. We stand alongside the Metropolitan Police and Brent Council in urging the immediate reporting of any threatening behaviours.
Frank Dabba Smith Mustafa Field Danny Maher
[1] Federico Finchelstein, The Wannabe Fascists: A Guide to Understanding the Greatest Threat to Democracy (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2024), 94-140
Statement by the Brent Multi-faith Forum Concerning the Violence Perpetrated in Israel and Gaza
We are aware that the trauma of the ongoing horrific violence will be felt by innocent people in the Middle East region for generations to come. We are aware, too, that there are many people living in the London Borough of Brent who are mourning the loss of family members, friends, and colleagues. We deplore all forms of violence and find any rejoicing at the suffering of the Other to be abhorrent.
We understand that this enduring and terrible conflict is deeply complex and embedded in historical trauma and humiliation occurring to both sides. However real the suffering and pain feels to any group, the cycles of violence, abuse and torture must stop. Terrorism and the occupation must end. At this time, the fragile stability of the entire region is threatened by the extremist leadership on both sides. Committing hateful acts of murder, injury, torture, and withholding humanitarian aid to non-combatants will only result in perpetuating more of the same rather than the peace, security, and dignity that most everyone craves.
We hold that the root of all faith / no faith must consist of the safeguarding of all life through the exercise of kindness, compassion, and love. We support those of all faiths / no faith who are engaged in the struggle for peaceful dialogue, cooperation, conciliation, and the equitable sharing of precious resources in the Middle East.
We are deeply committed to the safety and welfare of those of all faiths / no faith in Brent. There is no excuse for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other hate crime. Exacerbating communal tensions using any method will not be tolerated. We stand with the Metropolitan Police and Brent Council in urging the immediate reporting of any threatening behaviours.
We hope for hope together.
Frank Dabba Smith Mustafa Field Danny Maher
September 2024 Events and Updates
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Brent Council – Meet the Funders Event
Calling all local voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations. Discover new funding and social value opportunities at our Meet the Funders Event taking place on Wednesday 25th September from 4-8pm.
This exciting fair will give you the chance to:
- Learn about the latest funding and social value opportunities.
- Ask questions and understand application processes.
- Attend inspiring workshops.
- Meet and build relationships with like-minded people.
Meet a diverse range of organisations who are eager to support your initiatives, including the National Lottery, Sport England, Microsoft, Groundwork and so many more.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain insights, build relationships and boost your funding prospects.
Join us and take the next step towards achieving your mission!
Community Grants
Brent Young Peoples Strategy Refresh Competition
Competition time!
The Brent Youth Strategy is being refreshed and we have an exciting opportunity for a young person, aged 8+ to design the front cover!
Deadline for entries: Physical copies to be handed in by 5pm Friday 30th of August, at the front desk of Civic Centre. Digital copies to be emailed to Youthprovision@brent.gov.uk by the 1st of September at midnight.
Prizes include vouchers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and alongside this, the top 10 runners up will have their artwork displayed in the refreshed strategy.
Please share with your community and contacts who work with children and young people. If you have any questions, feel free to email me! We are very excited to receive our children and young people’s entries!
Brent Brazilian Community Day event on 7th September.
The event will be held at the
Jason Roberts Foundation, Bridgestone Arena, NW10 8LW, from midday to 9 PM.
We would like to extend a warm invitation to everyone from the BMFF and partners to join us in this celebration.
Entry is free.
The day will be filled with a variety of activities, including:
- Brazilian food and drink stalls
- Service stalls
- Health checks
- Football and volleyball tournaments
- Kids’ play area
- Live Brazilian music
- Raffle prizes (fundraising for SCHILD community projects)
- Beauty kits giveaways
- And much more!
We hope to see you all there. Please save the date and spread the inviting.
August 2024 Events and Updates
‘Welcome to Brent’ Event
Saturday 10th August
The event is open to anyone newly arrived in Brent, and will include information and advice stalls, children’s activities, arts and crafts, sports games, face painting, a bouncy castle. Food and refreshments will also be provided.
For stall information book here
Monsters on the loose in recycling bins across Brent
There are contamination monsters causing havoc across Brent, trampling through recycling bins, contaminating recycling and costing taxpayers thousands of pounds.
We all know it is important to recycle, yet we still see food waste, clothing, black bin bags and even dirty nappies in Brent recycling bins, which leads to recycling being incinerated instead of recycled, every month.
Last year, Brent Council spent more than half a million pounds redirecting contaminated recycling to general waste, because items were placed in the incorrect bins.
Contamination monsters
The six main monsters often found contaminating Brent blue-lidded recycling bins are:
Food Waste Monster
Nappy Monster
Textiles & Clothing Monster
Garden Waste Monster
Electrical Items Monster
Black Sack Monster
Read more here how to avoid these monsters
Sufra Family Fun Day in the garden.
Take part in free activities like pizza making, foraging and nature activities. Our pergola has a roof so we can have fun whatever the weather.
Location: St. Raphael’s Edible Garden, 162 Pitfield Way, NW10 0PW
Date: Wednesday 21 August
Time: 11am-3.30pm
Please note that parents will need to supervise their children on the day.
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Sufra’s Summer Garden Party.
Shop at our Market Stalls, enjoy free music and food and take part in crafty activities.
Location: St. Raphael’s Edible Garden, 162 Pitfield Way, NW10 0PW
Date: Saturday 17 August
Time: 2-5pm
Brent Community Land Trust Supper Club
Having identified a need, the initial members were keen to involve local residents with relevant experience. There was significant interest in helping to support this community development, and Brent Community Land Trust was subsequently formally established in October 2020.
Join the Brent Music Academy Programme!
The Brent Music Academy is excited to announce its new programme aimed at bringing music education and enrichment to the heart of our community. We invite faith groups from all backgrounds to join us in this inspiring initiative to foster creativity, talent, and cultural exchange through music.
About the Programme
The Brent Music Academy programme offers a diverse range of music education opportunities, including practical session with holistic support
Why We Need Faith Groups
Faith groups play a crucial role in the social fabric of our community. By joining the Brent Music Academy programme, faith groups can:
- Enhance Community Engagement: Music serves as a universal language that can bridge gaps and bring people together.
- Support Youth Development: Providing young members with opportunities to develop their musical talents can boost their confidence and creativity.
- Promote Cultural Diversity: Share and celebrate your unique musical traditions and learn from others in the community.
Join us in creating a vibrant, musical community where every voice is heard and celebrated. For more information and to get involved, please contact us at Brent Music Academy or visit our website at Brent Music Academy.
Let’s make beautiful music together!
Family Hubs and Start for Life programme
Families across Brent are set to benefit from a new Best Start for Life offer, which will see residents able to access improved breastfeeding, perinatal mental health and parenting support thanks to a £4million cash boost.
Councillor Gwen Grahl, Cabinet Member for Children Young People and Schools said:
“Early years are vital for children’s development and early language and communication skills so we are pleased to receive this extra funding which will build on what we are already able to provide.
“Our Family Wellbeing Centres are well loved and well used by Brent’s parents, carers, children, and young people. The Start for Life funding will help parents to form secure lifelong bonds with their babies and children.
“Family Wellbeing Centres will provide advice
Faith Groups and Family Hubs
The Brent Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF) is calling on all faith groups to collaborate with the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. This partnership aims to provide comprehensive support to families, ensuring that every child gets the best start in life. Here’s how your faith group can make a difference:
About Family Hubs and Start for Life
Family Hubs offer a range of services to families, from early childhood support to parenting resources. The Start for Life programme focuses on the crucial early years, providing parents and caregivers with essential tools and information to foster their children’s development.
For more information contact
Jaishree Dholakia
Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme
Engagement Officer – Public Health
Email: Jaishree.dholakia@brent.gov.uk
Mobile: 07956 298246
Roots of Brent –Youth Film Project on Climate Change
We are running a youth summer film project with young people aged 16-25 years-old in Brent
We invite young people to tell their story about climate change, its impact on young people in Brent, and showcase local climate projects from the diverse community
They will also have the opportunity to learn how to make a short film, conduct interviews, present to camera, and edit footage.
Session Dates: (Participants must commit to all sessions)
Tuesday 6 August, 10am-4pm
Tue 13 August, 10am-4pm
Tuesday 20 August, 10am -4pm
Tuesday 27 August, 10am-4pm
Tuesday 3 September, 10am-4pm
Tuesday 10 September, 10am-4pm
Location: Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0FJ
Please can you forward to any young people, youth groups, schools that you think may be interested. It would be great to have 1 or 2 young people from each of your community/faith groups.
They can register here: https://shorturl.at/twmpH
Brent Hubs Partner’s Day, Fri 19th July 2024, 10am to 12.30pm at Brent Civic Centre. (See Event Flyer attached)
Partner’s Day is planned by Partners for Partners, and is the time where the Brent Hubs Partnership congregates on a working morning to strengthen the Partnership, find out what’s going on, hear about funding opportunities and of course, network – find out who’s doing what and what provisions are available, all with the sole purpose of producing better outcomes for the people we serve.
Partner’s Day is THE opportunity to meet the people you need to know and trade information.
Last year we had 100 Partners attend the event!
This year we will be focusing on the theme of ‘Better Collaboration’.
Please do share this invite with relevant parties.
The Event Schedule will follow closer to the event but please do respond promptly which will greatly help us with the preparations.
Can I also ask you to check the Brent Hubs Partner’s page and if you are not on there or require an update then please email David McEvoy (Brent Hubs Coordinator)
Your attendance is very important and I look forward to seeing you there!
And yes, free food and refreshments will be available from when you arrive.
