The purpose of the survey was to test how valued the aims and objectives of the BHFA are amongst faith and secular groups in the city.
The questions
The following questions were posed, with the answers to questions 1 and 3-8 being in the form of Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neither agree nor disagree, Agree, Strongly Agree. The last two questions were not asked of secular groups as that is work covered by Community Works.
- My organisation feels well informed about social action projects being delivered by faith groups in Brighton and Hove.
- Are you aware of a faith based organisation that you can refer someone to in the following categories? (please tick all that apply)
- My organisation believes that local faith groups already work well together on social action projects.
- My organisation would value an interfaith group providing information on local faith based social action projects.
- My organisation would value an online mapping service that details social action projects delivered by local faith groups.
- My organisation would value an interfaith group promoting social action partnerships between faith groups and secular third sector organisations.
- My organisation and the work we do is recognised and supported by Brighton and Hove City Council.
- My organisation would value improved engagement with Brighton and Hove City Council through an interfaith charity.
Methodology
The online survey was sent via email to 97 faith groups on the 13th October 2014 and every secular Third Sector organisation subscribed to Community Works email list on the 14th October 2014.
Most of the faith groups were contacted via their public contact details in either the Interfaith Contact Directory or their own website. Some faith groups were contacted who weren’t listed in the IFCG directory where we had knowledge of their existence.
The deadline for completing the survey was two weeks later on the 27th October. A reminder email was sent to both faith groups and Community Works members and a follow up phone call was made in the second week to every faith group and a voice-mail left (where available) if no contact was made.
Notes on results
28 faith groups completed the survey, which represents a 29% response rate. This is considerably higher than commercial advertising response rates.
Eight community works members responded, although the response rate is not know as we don’t know the size of the email list.
I’ve stripped out those who did not express an opinion one way or another by responding “neither agree nor disagree.”
Faith groups survey results
Two thirds do not feel well informed about social action projects being delivered by faith groups.
A slight majority feel that faith groups do not work well together on social action projects.
Every responder would value an interfaith group providing information on social action projects delivered by faith groups.
Every responder would value an online mapping service detailing social action projects delivered by local faith groups.
An overwhelming majority would value an interfaith group promoting social action partnerships between faith and secular groups.
Two thirds do not believe their work is recognised or supported by BHCC.
An overwhelming majority would value improved engagement with BHCC through an interfaith charity.
A majority are not aware of a faith based organisation they can refer to in the following categories:
- Poor mental health
- Housing issues
- Support for ex-offenders
- Addiction
- Domestic abuse
- Social isolation
- Immigration / asylum advice
- People with learning difficulties
- Helping people back to work
- Children and young people
- Community groups that need use of a building
A majority are aware of a faith based organisation they can refer to in the following categories:
- Personal debt
- Hunger / poverty
- Homelessness
- Benefit advice
- Help for the elderly
Third Sector secular group survey results
A strong majority do not feel well informed about social action projects being delivered by faith groups.
Only one responder expressed an opinion other than “neither agree nor disagree”, so this result shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
Every responder would value an interfaith group providing information on local faith based social action projects.
An overwhelming majority of responders would value an online mapping service detailing social action projects delivered by local faith groups.
Every responder would value an interfaith group promoting partnerships between faith and secular groups.
Only half of responders were able to identify a faith based organisation they can refer to in the following categories:
- Homelessness
- Community groups that need a building to meet
A majority are not aware of a faith based organisation they can refer to all other categories.
It is interesting that secular groups are more aware of faith groups availability of community centres, than faith based groups.
Conclusions
Faith groups…
- Do not feel well informed over what other faith groups are doing in the city and do not feel that faith groups work well together.
- Would value an interfaith group providing information and specifically an online mapping service of what other faith groups are doing in the city.
- Would value an interfaith group promoting partnerships between themselves and secular groups.
- Do not feel recognised or supported by BHCC and would welcome an interfaith group to improve engagement with BHCC.
- Are unaware of how to refer someone to a majority of social action services delivered by faith groups.
Secular groups…
- Do not feel well informed over what faith groups are doing in the city.
- Would value an interfaith group providing information and specifically an online mapping service of what faith groups are doing in the city.
-
Would value an interfaith group promoting partnerships between themselves and faith groups.
