A local human rights campaigner, who has spent the last 20 years championing equality and raising awareness of the Holocaust, has been announced as the new patron of the Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation.

Sarah Bevan, who is also a veteran local councillor having served on the Council since 2003, has been a strong authoritative voice on Jewish rights and support for minority groups.

Cllr Bevan, who represents the ward of Peasedown St John, is a former Chairwoman of the Council and Chair of the Local Authority's Resources Panel.

Director of the B&NES Faith Foundation, Nathan Hartley, said: "We're thrilled that Sarah has accepted our invitation to become our new Patron. Her experience, background and connections will be a great benefit to the work of the Foundation in 2021.

"Over the next 12 months, we'll be running several projects across the district on the theme of social inclusion and the need for public bodies to take the views of faith groups more seriously."

The Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation exists 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

Cllr Sarah Bevan added: "I'm pleased to accept the nomination to become the new Patron of the Faith Foundation.

"It's important that all groups in society, be they religious or non-religious, feel a sense of inclusion, acceptance and opportunity when it comes to engaging in civic and community life."

For more details about the Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation email [email protected]