Would you like to know more about saving energy in your home and your faith building?
Would you like to know more about what’s happening to the world’s climate and how you can make a difference?

We are running a new programme that supports faith communities in Waltham Forest. We are working with faith leaders and with people active within faith communities who are concerned about climate change and other environmental issues.

This programme is offering training and support to anyone within a faith community. You can attend a training session or talk to us about setting up a meeting or talk for people within your faith community. We can offer a speaker to come along to any meeting that you are running in March. This can be for anything from a short introduction to these issues to a practical session on saving energy and money.

The training sessions are also open to anyone involved. These are longer (2 – 3 hours) and we can also run these in your faith or community building. All of this is free.

The training will give you practical advice about how to talk about these issues and also on how to save money through saving energy in homes and faith buildings. The aim is to save 10% of your energy use (in line with existing targets in various faiths).

The talks and training sessions will also look at how these environmental issues relate to the key beliefs of your faith. We are currently planning two training sessions on March 17th and 30th in Waltham Forest. If you would like to know more or reserve a place, you can ring us on 0203 117 0102 or email Karen at projects@capacity.org.uk.

All participants in meetings get a free information pack.

Follow the Faiths and Environment team on Twitter

Download our Faith and Environment leaflet

More information on Faith and the Environment issues is available here

Download our Faiths and Environment Survey Form

Where is Waltham Forest

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is a borough in East London, England and forms part of Outer London. It is a mix of built-up residential development and a fifth of the borough is made up of forestland, reservoirs, open space, parks and playing fields. It is located between part of Epping Forest in the east and the River Lee in the west which form two green corridors, passing into London from the surrounding countryside.

Demographics

Out of the 376 local government districts in England and Wales, Waltham Forest has the 11th largest non-white minority ethnic population. The largest ethnic minority group are the black Afro-Caribbeans/Africans, followed by South asians and Pakistanis. Out of the 376 local government districts in England and Wales, it ranks 19th for over-crowded housing conditions, 29th for unemployment and 17th for number of single-parent households.

	Faiths and Environment Team
	Maria Adebowale is Capacity Global's Director, a social enterprise and think tank specialising in environmental justice and social inclusion. Maria's primary focus is on environmental equality, diversity, community participation and sustainable development. Maria is Chair of the NGO Waterwise and a Commissioner for English Heritage. In addition she is an advisory member of the Communications Committee for the Economic and Research Council and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is also a Matron of the Women’s Environment Network.
	Chris Church works independently on sustainable development issues and is a co-founder of Community Environment Associates. He is an advisor to the UK Community Development Foundation (CDF) and to a wide range of other organisations on sustainable development. He is an Associate of Capacity Global, and of Resources for Change (a consultancy specialising in local sustainability, evaluation and the rural environment). Chris is a skilled trainer that has worked extensively for Talk Action and for COIN (the Climate Outreach information Network).
	Pat Howie is a community worker based in Leytonstone. She has worked with CEA on the Community Recycling Engagement work in 2007 and is well connected with a wide range of community groups. Recent work includes project management of Fairtrade borough work for LBWF, a report on gang culture for the East London Extended Schools Forum, and development of a  directory of local training providers for Cathall and Cann Hall Sure Start.
	Junie Joseph is Capacity Global’s Training Associate.  Junie formerly worked on the Mosaic Partnership building links between ethnic minorities and National Parks. She currently works as the Co-ordinator of Capacity Global’s TEN training project – an environmental training and work placement programme for people from diverse backgrounds. Junie works with a number of environment projects and has provided pro bono assistance to several faith groups in London.  She has a certificate a Certificate in Theology and Religious Studies.
	Wendy Le Bar is an ordained Buddhist and a core group member of Waltham Forest Faith Communities Forum.  She is a local artist using a variety of mediums, including photography, and exhibits in local arts-based ventures, including the E17 Arts Trail. She has led workshops and taught art in a variety of situations including the City Lit, a Mind day centre, after-school clubs and with community groups.  Her work is influenced by the natural world, the interconnectedness of life and often incorporates Buddhist and Christian symbols.
	Anwar Lohiya is a Muslim Chaplain and is presently a part-time Engagment Officer for the London Wild Life Trust (LWT), and helped launch the LWT East Reservoir Community Gardens. He is also a nominated member of the Volunteering and Community Advisory Group member VCAG for LWT, assisting in strategies of engaging the BAMER communities. He has also worked for Hackney Council as a Recycling Promotions Officer, working with Ethnic Minority & Muslim communities in the Borough.
	Jan Mc Harry is a practising Western Buddhist (Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) with a particular interest in the links between faiths, environment and social justice. She is an independent consultant who has been working on sustainable development, local environment issues and community engagement for 19 years. She is Co-Director of Community Environment Associates, a specialist consultancy with extensive experience of working with diverse groups and a major focus on building engagement around the environmental and ethical agenda of climate awareness and behaviour change. Jan has worked extensively on local sustainability and waste. Jan is also on the Steering Group of Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum and a Trustee of the Faith-based Regeneration Network