A funding appeal run by the Bath and North East Somerset Faith Foundation has raised £8,000 for two new projects in our local area.

The organisation, which promotes and encourages social cohesion and dialogue between religious groups, launched a fundraising campaign last year.

Director of the Faith Foundation, Nathan Hartley, said:

"Thanks to everyone who has donated to our appeal. We're 100% funded through voluntary contributions and grants and without the support and generosity of others we wouldn't be able to carry out the important work that we do."

The £8,000 was raised thanks to donations from the public, plus a grant from the Birmingham-based Westhill Endowment charity – an organisation that funds educational and faith-based projects across the UK that promote social cohesion and interfaith dialogue.

"This new funding means we can now launch two new projects at the start of a New Year, both of which will be focussed on tacking loneliness and isolation in Bath and North East Somerset," added Nathan.

The £8,000 will be used to fund:

-         A new interfaith project in Midsomer Norton, costing £5,000. The initiative hopes to bring together various faith groups with the aim of promoting collaboration and positive dialogue.

-         A series of mental health, mindfulness workshops in Bath, costing £3,000. Through the practice of kirtan yoga, people attending will be encouraged to take up mantra meditation – a practice originally from India but now popular throughout the world.

More details will be released about both projects, and how people can get involved, throughout January.

In the meantime, anyone interest can email the Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation at [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/FaithFoundation   

The Bath and North East Faith Foundation was established several years ago to:

• Support, encourage, and strengthen the work of faith groups across the district.

• Act as a conduit between faith groups and public bodies in ensuring they have a voice and have representation on issues that matter to them.

• Carry out research into socio-religious trends in Bath, Somerset and the wider area.

• Run community engagement projects with faith (and non-faith) groups

• Organise events that promote social inclusion, learning and understanding