Faithworks

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The case for public funding of faith-based welfare projects - Rated
Steve Chalke was probably the most qualified person to write this book. He has a pretty impressive track record in the field of faith-based welfare provision. When you understand the near impossibility of obtaining public funding for his projects, his success appears even more outstanding. Until very recently local government has refused to release public money to fund the work of what George W. Bush now calls the "armies of compassion". There has been such an emphasis on the potential bias which the religiously-motivated might bring to their service provision that the value of this volunteer force has been almost completely overlooked.

Chalke's book charts the recent change in the attitudes of the two main parties towards faith-based welfare provision. Although intended as an exhortation to faith-based groups to respond positively to the recent attitude shift, this book also systematically explains why such a change is good news for society as a whole. Chalke lists 5 general characteristics of faith-based welfare provision which together constitute his manifesto for action. Such projects are ROOTED in the community instead of imposed from without. They are SUSTAINABLE because the service-providers are not there to provide a quick fix. Project workers are COMMITTED because of their personal motivation (faith-based) to change the circumstances for the better. Chalke describes the IMAGINATIVE, out-of-the-box thinking which characterise these projects. Finally the whole process is intended to be a TRANSFORMING one for the benefiting individuals - the biggest provider of primary healthcare for London's homeless is the Christian trust Oasis (spearheaded by Chalke). Those who pass through don't just get a meal and a bed for the night but there is an awareness that their other basic needs must also be met.

This book takes less than an hour to read but its implications are far-reaching and highly relevant for a society which has significant social problems - and a significant force of people motivated enough to do something about them but constrained by a lack of cash. Tony Blair himself has pointed out that it is amazing that many such projects have succeeded on shoestring budgets before this recent climate change. Chalke is advocating a strategy which has made an impact with zero public funding. The implication is that government-backed projects could be outstandingly successful.