Call for greater public service role for faith groups

21 Jan 13
Faith groups should be more widely involved in the provision of public services, the think-tank Demos said today.
By Vivienne Russell | 21 January 2013

Faith-based groups should be more widely involved in the provision of public services, the think-tank Demos said today.

Its report, Faithful providers, argues that a ‘faith-service ethos’ could lead to greater cost efficiencies as volunteers and staff in religious organisations often display higher levels of commitment. Evidence also suggested that a faith-based approach could also be highly effective where a ‘spiritual’ or ‘holistic’ approach is helpful, such as in drug rehabilitation services.

Fears that giving faith groups a greater role in service provision would lead to an increase in discrimination or aggressive proselytising are misplaced. Interviews with 20 organisations found that the ‘overwhelming majority’ provided services to community members of different or no faiths.

But Demos said that funding for faith-based groups should be conditional for them working with organisations of different religions to tackle local problems.

Jonathan Birdwell, author of the report and head of the citizens programme at Demos, said: ‘Government and local authorities can’t afford to be squeamish about the religious aspect of faith-motivated services. Unlike large private companies who are interested in generating profit and have little connection to local communities, faith-based service providers are often long-standing pillars in their communities and the “social glue” that holds Britain together.

‘If government and local authorities are serious about fostering a greater sense of community and interfaith dialogue then they should practise what they preach and support faith-based service delivery.’

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