Wandsworth Local Strategic Partnership Multi-Faith Sub-Group
The WLSP Multi-Faith Sub-Group is a formal sub-group to the WLSP, which was set up following discussions with faith representatives in Wandsworth after September 11th 2001. The first meeting was held in February 2002 when representatives from the main faith communities in the borough, as identified through the Census, were invited to meet with the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive. The group meets five times a year and is chaired by the Leader of the Council and Chair of the WLSP, Cllr E Lister. Administrative support is provided to the meeting by the Council's Policy Unit. The group does not receive any grant funding and all members attend as volunteers.

The group produces an annual report which details it activities throughout the year. This report can be downloaded from this site. It can also be read out using the "read speaker tool" that is available on this website. If you would prefer a hard copy please contact Clare O'Connor on (020) 8871 7816 or coconnor@wandsworth.gov.uk.

 Annual report 2006/07 (69 kb)

Terms of reference
The aims of the WLSP Multi-Faith Sub-group meetings are:

• To update and inform representatives about important developments such as the Local Strategic Partnership;
• To develop the group's links to the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and hence provide a "voice" for faith communities into the LSP;
• To explain the various consultation exercises planned where faith communities' input would be helpful;
• To discuss any issues of mutual interest; and
• To provide an opportunity to resolve potential concerns or tensions quickly and effectively.

Membership
Each of the main faiths in the borough is represented on the WLSP Multi-Faith Sub-group. In some cases a particular faith tradition is represented by members of different places of worship in Wandsworth e.g. the Khalsa Centre and the Gurdhwara represent the Sikh community. In other cases, different people may represent the main subdivisions of the same faith. Each faith or place of worship can send a maximum of two representatives to a meeting. The use of substitutes or deputies is encouraged if the lead members cannot attend.

Current membership of the WSLP Multi-Faith Group is drawn from the following places of faith:

• Balham Mosque
• London Mosque
• Women in Islam Serving Humanity (WISH)
• Wimbledon and District Synagogue
• Nightingale House
• The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Wandsworth
• Sikh Gurdwara
• Khalsa Centre
• The Hindu Society
• The Buddapadipa Temple
• New Testament Assembly
• Battersea Methodist Mission
• St Vincent de Paul Presbytery
• The Diocese of Southwark

The following organisations have observers on the group:

• Wandsworth Police
• Wandsworth Council
• SACRE
• Wandsworth PCT
• Wandsworth Safeguarding Board
• Faith Direct.

On October 10th 2007 the WLSP Multi-Faith Sub-group held "Faith Direct", a multi-faith seminar for students of Religious Studies in Wandsworth. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of different beliefs and to challenge stereotypes. The attached evaluation report contains full details on the event.

 Faith Direct evaluation report (35 kb)

Faith and belief in Wandsworth.
As the chart illustrates a large number of faiths are practised in Wandsworth. The Christian population in Wandsworth is slightly above the London average, 61.81% as compared to 58.23%, but is below the England and Wales average of 71.74%. Members of the Christian faith are spread evenly across all wards. Wandsworth's Muslim population at 5.2% is below the London average of 8.46%, but significantly above the national average of 2.97%. Although there are members of the Muslim faith in all wards across the Borough, 29% of Wandsworth's Muslim population reside in the wards of Tooting, Graveney and Furzedown. The Hindu population in Wandsworth is below the London average of 4.07%, but above the national average of 1.06%. 40% of Wandsworth's Hindu population reside in the wards of Tooting and Graveney.

A full breakdown of the Census 2001 statistics for Wandsworth.

Places of faith in Wandsworth.
A directory has been compiled by the Council's Register Office to show you the wide variety of spiritual support available should you so wish at times of personal need. The directory lists contact details for places of worship and some information of the services they provide. Search the faith directory.