In April 2009, FaithAction became one of the 11 new Strategic Partners of the Department of Health.  In 2010, this partnership increased to 16 partners and in 2011 the partnership increased to 18. For more information on the Department of Health, please click here

Our Role

At the time when the programme was launched, the current Care Services Minister Phil Hope said, “We've been driving much closer partnerships between Government and Third Sector organisations, who have an important contribution to make in achieving better health, care and value for everyone….We will be working with the Strategic Partners to jointly plan activity to make sure that health and social care third sector organisations are able to fulfil their potential and ultimately contribute to improved health and well-being outcomes for individuals and communities.”

Faith groups connect with parts of the community that no other group is able to access. Not only are these people often termed ‘hard to reach’ in health terms they are often a ‘need to reach’ group, suffering from ill health and struggling to access the right services.

FaithAction give access through its membership to this group and our work will be two way. Input to policy makers and commissioners to encourage an intelligent design of health and social care services. Advice and support to faith based groups on how they can support their community in the area of health and Well Being. FaithAction Projects in a Box are being developed to enable local groups help their local communities.

What does this mean for you?

• Faith Communities are connected with those members of society who may not have the skills or social networks which enable them to feel they have a significant contribution to make.  They may not have sufficient resources to sustain themselves economically or those without adequate social networks, caused by lack of community or family ties.  These individuals or families can find themselves experiencing a sense of not being able to contribute as a full member of British society.  The Government often describes these people as ‘hard to reach’.
• The potential clientele of Faith Based Organisations are the most likely to suffer from or cause draining health issues.  Multiple causes of these include worklessness, chaotic family life, issues with LLN and poor access to an effective self sufficient communities

The partners are:

• Men's Health Forum
• FaithAction
• Voluntary Organisations Disability Group and The National Care Forum
• Regional Voices
• National Council for Palliative Care
• RADAR, National Centre for Independent Living and Shaping Our Lives National User Network
• Race Equality Foundation
• NAVCA
• National Heart Forum
• Age UK
• Women's Health and Equality Consortium (WHEC)
• NACRO and Action for Prisoners Families
• Royal British Legion and Combat Stress
• National Children's Bureau
• Mental Health Providers Forum
• The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Crossroads Care and Carers UK
• National LGB&T Partnership
• National Voices