Prime Minister to celebrate projects that prove faith works

The Prime Minister and other senior government figures will pay tribute to Faithworks members who are bringing positive transformation to their communities across the UK, in a special event at 10 Downing Street this Thursday.

The winners of the 2008 Faithworks Awards, who all won monetary grants earlier this year to help develop their community projects, will be joined by other representatives of the 20,000-strong Faithworks Movement.

Gordon Brown will celebrate their contribution to society, and thank them for their commitment, professionalism and effectiveness in serving their communities. He will be joined by Hazel Blears, the Secretary for State for Communities and Local Government, and Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform.

The event will also mark the launch of a Labour Party consultation with faith groups, due to report in 2009. Malcolm Duncan, the leader of the Faithworks Movement, is a member of the faiths' taskforce that will be carrying out this work.

"It is a huge encouragement that the government is celebrating the work of people who are motivated into practical action by their faith, and listening to their experiences and expertise from the 'front line'," said Duncan." When Steve Chalke founded Faithworks in 2001, Gordon Brown was a strong supporter of the movement and today is proof that the Prime Minister still has a high regard for faith activists and the work they do."

He added, "Our faith works. The Government has made huge steps in celebrating the work of faith communities - but there is still more to do. That is why we are also committed to working with politicians of all parties."

Duncan called on politicians to continue recognising the potential that the local church holds for bringing positive change and encouraged faith groups to continue to work together "to put even more resources, time and effort into building a better world".

"We can work together, whilst remaining distinctive," he said.

Projects that will be represented at the reception include The Sunflower Garden, an Edinburgh-based pioneering service that works with children affected by drug use in their families. The Big Buzz in Everton, meanwhile, provides fun and educational activities for children and their families in the third most deprived ward in the country.

Colchester Nightstop, a network which provides temporary accommodation in hosts' homes for young people who have become homeless, and Hull Churches Home from Hospital Service is a comprehensive befriending scheme for people leaving hospital, helping them move to independence through convalescence.