The Department for Communities and Local Government has published Dame Louise Casey’s review into integration and opportunity in isolated and deprived communities.
The review highlights the contribution of faith-based work to society, with Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) and its members being recognised along with two others as examples of faith-based organisations who “undertake social action and help make local communities in Britain a better place to live.”
Casey goes on to describe this work: “selfless, often unremarked upon in society, but can have a dramatic impact in relieving individual human anguish and suffering.”
She wrote, “For all those involved, faith is not something incidental to their actions. It is fundamental: the font, the origin, the thing that makes these people who they are and do what they do. To them, their faith is realised in action: in commitment to others; in caring; in compassion; in an all-embracing feeling of solidarity.”
Dame Louise said that in her research she “heard a great deal about the work of churches, mosques, synagogues and temples” in addressing a range of social justice issues including care for the sick, elderly and socially excluded; the education and protection of children; feeding, clothing and housing the poorest in society; and fighting the trafficking of women and children.
The Government welcomed the Casey review as a valuable contribution to the integration debate, with the communities secretary Sajid Javid having announced he will report back on the findings in full in the New Year.