Wellsprings Together works to bring together communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse, so that they can get to know each other better, build relationships of trust, and collaborate together on initiatives that improve the local community they live in.

In many neighbourhoods across the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, different faith and ethnic communities live and work next to each other, but sometimes lack the confidence to interact with one another. This separation can lead to misunderstanding and lack of trust.

Across Leeds, Bradford and Dewsbury Kaneez Khan is our coordinator supported by Near Neighbours to help to connect with local projects. This includes the Near Neighbours project Real People Honest Talk, local leadership development and church mosque twinning.

Kaneez also coordinates the Near Neighbours small grants fund; this fund provides seed funding for local groups and organisations who are working to bring together neighbours, to develop relationships of diverse faiths and ethnicity and also to improve their communities.

Through Near Neighbours we can link with partners who provide expertise through their focused work. Partners contribute to the programme with training, expertise and resources. Their work is developing the networks and capacity of local communities and organisations through sustainable initiatives that will continue to impact long into the future.

If you would like to know more about the Near Neighbours programme and how it can help your community, please contact Kaneez Khan kaneez.khan@wellspringstogether.org.uk

For more information on Supporting Interfaith Relations and Developing Community Leaders, click on the links.