Category: London

Below you can find some words from a few of our partners on the devastating impact that the floods in Nepal and Tibet has had on local communities. In a diverse, multicultural city like London, the impacts of such things are closer than they may seem.

Charanjit Ajitsingh, Hounslow

May I share with you our concern for our local Nepalese community who have lost relatives, friends and their family properties in the devastation caused by floods in Nepal, a  Himayalan Tsunami . With the help of the former Mayor of Hounslow Cllr Bishnu Gurung, a retired Napalese soldier, a prayer service and  candle light vigil  was organised by the Nepalese community  at Luxmi Narayan Temple on 31^st August.

We heard from  many who are affected. One person talked about the total destruction of his village with the loss of nine of his relatives.  On Saturday 5th September at the Buddhist Vihara, under the leadership of Venerable Seelawimala, the head monk, Buddhist prayers from different Buddhist traditions and countries were said by their venerable leaders. The Nepalese and Tibetan losses were mentioned. One man talked about losing ten relatives  and many are unaccounted for. There were many British pilgrims trying to cross the border between Nepal and Tibet to pay their respects at Mount Kailash who may have succumbed to the Glacier burst as there is little information about them.     

People in the congregation observed a two minute silence , candles were lit and solidarity and deep condolences were shared  with the Nepalese Ambassador and by the Buddhist Venerables and faith leaders.

On 6^th September as a part of their 150^th anniversary service at St Stephen’s Church, the Mayor Cllr Ranjit Gill, Deputy Lieutenant Rosie Prescott, the local MP Ruth Cadbury, Nepalese community concerns were shared and funds raised.

Charanjit, on behalf of Hounslow Friends of faith, spoke at all the three events and wanted  us to  recognise and understand the enormous impact of the disaster here in our communities in London, too. She said, ‘Let us all be there for them.’

Penny Smith-Orr, Croydon

In Croydon we are very devastated by the flooding in Nepal. One of our Hindu Priests, Nabhi Nandan Das, a long-time friend, was leading a pilgrimage with 16 people and 4 guides up into Tibet. They were at the crossing into Tibet when the flooding hit and have not been heard from since. This has affected us all deeply. The families of the pilgrims have no news of their loved ones including young people whose parents have disappeared. 

Nabhi was a very wise and kind person. He was a member of Croydon SACRE and of Faiths Together in Croydon and worked tirelessly in schools in Croydon and other boroughs teaching about all aspects of the Hindu faith. He also invited many school groups to the Temple in Coulsdon in Croydon, which he was instrumental in opening. Not only the Hindu community but many, many people in Croydon will miss him greatly. 

News story

Thank you to our partners for sharing. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the floods.

We at the London Boroughs Faiths Network (LBFN) recently hosted a brilliant conversation with sixteen individuals from the faith and community sectors. This was our London-specific contribution to The National Conversation, a UK-wide listening initiative, inviting people right across the country to share what they value about community life, and the communities they want to build. 

Our conversation was broad, honest, and deeply insightful. Read on to find out some of the key points we talked about. We will be producing a fuller summary of the discussion soon so this is just to give you a flavour of the conversation. No doubt many of these topics are things you think about when considering how to create stronger communities.

Participants underscored an increasing trend toward “tribalism,” with individuals rejecting ‘others’ or retreating into familiar community bubbles out of fear or self-preservation. A representative from the Jewish community highlighted an awful reality: many individuals feel compelled to actively conceal their identity across schools, workplaces, and public spaces to avoid prejudice. 

This caution across communities is made worse by the rise in far-right populism and overt racism, which several attendees flagged as the most critical current threat to our communities. Additionally, participants stressed that systemic wealth inequality and poverty act as root drivers of division, causing struggling communities to “punch down” rather than address underlying structural strains.

Another central takeaway was the urgent need to rebuild physical and interpersonal “connective tissue.” Our attendees pointed out that the steady loss of free, accessible community spaces—such as libraries and green areas—severely restricts organic, cross-cultural interaction. Diverse, multicultural communities like London require spaces where agreement is not the goal. Communities will never agree on everything, but we can still work towards mutual understanding and respect in these vital community spaces. 

One participant put it beautifully: Like a tapestry, a community relies on every unique thread. When we fail to respect and value each individual, holes appear in the fabric.  

Overall, one central theme seems to stand out: We want to build a community where  we respect others, and celebrate our differences as well as our similarities. Instead of resorting to hatred or closing off from others, we should open our hearts to all.

We were very happy to host this conversation for our diverse community of attendees, and we remain committed to keeping this momentum alive across London even after the National Conversation comes to an end. We invite you to take the national survey, join the conversation, and help us strengthen the social fabric of our local communities together. 

Written by Joelma Aguiar, Partnerships Coordinator

I recently visited the Nova Exhibition in London, a moving memorial that honours the lives of those affected by the attack on the Nova Music Festival on 7 October 2023. I expected to learn about a tragic event. Instead, I left reflecting on a much bigger question:

How does hatred grow to the point where such violence becomes possible?

As I walked through the exhibition, surrounded by personal belongings, photographs and testimonies from survivors and families, I was reminded that every life lost represented someone’s child, parent, sibling or friend. Beyond the devastating human stories, one message remained with me: hatred never begins with violence. It begins much earlier, when we stop seeing one another’s humanity.

That reflection felt particularly relevant to the times we are living in here in the United Kingdom. Across our communities, we are seeing growing divisions and increasing reports of hate crime. While every conflict has its own history and context, one lesson remains universal: hatred grows when fear, prejudice and misunderstanding are left unchallenged.

The Nova Exhibition is not simply about remembering the past. It invites us to think about the future.

What kind of society do we want to build?

Community resilience is often associated with preparing for emergencies, but resilience begins long before a crisis occurs. It is built through trust, relationships and a shared commitment to looking after one another. Every conversation that builds understanding, every act of kindness across cultural or faith boundaries, and every effort to reject misinformation and prejudice strengthen the resilience of our communities.

One of the United Kingdom’s greatest strengths is its diversity. People from every nation, culture, language and faith have chosen to make this country home. Like the colours of a rainbow, each community contributes something unique, creating a society that is stronger because of its diversity.

Our shared values- democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and respect for people of different faiths and beliefs, provide the foundation for living together peacefully. These values become most important when they are tested.

The Nova Exhibition reminded me that hatred leaves no true victors. It leaves pain, trauma and loss that can last for generations. Yet it also reminded me that every one of us has a choice. We can choose understanding instead of suspicion, dialogue instead of division, and compassion instead of hatred.

As members of our communities, we all have a role to play. Whether through a simple conversation, supporting a neighbour, standing against hate, or building relationships across different communities, our everyday actions help shape the kind of society future generations will inherit.

I left the exhibition with hope.

Hope that we can learn from history rather than repeat it.

Hope that we can choose unity over division.

Hope that together we can build communities where every person is valued, every voice is respected, and our shared humanity is always stronger than the forces that seek to divide us.

Because together, we are stronger.

When we think about increasing security, it’s easy to picture high walls, heavy locks, and shutting the rest of the world out. But true safety doesn’t come from isolating ourselves. In fact, it’s the exact opposite.

Security is about opening up to our community and ensuring that everyone inside and out feels protected. It’s about keeping doors closed, but the community open.

When you work as a community by looking out for each other, everyone is safer.

Security is Everyone’s Responsibility

From the casual attendee walking through the front door to the dedicated security staff at the gates, everyone has a role to play.

For Attendees: It means staying aware, looking out for your peers, and speaking up if something feels off.

For Staff: It means providing a professional shield while maintaining a welcoming, accessible environment.

When we look at security as a shared responsibility rather than someone else’s job, we build a network of vigilance that no single security guard could achieve alone.

Strength in Numbers: Aiding Each Other

If communities actively work together, we can seamlessly aid each other with security. Sharing resources, communicating openly about potential risks, and establishing mutual trust is key to making your community more secure.

Threats and emergencies can be incredibly unpredictable. They can happen at any time, without warning. But when a community is united, you aren’t left to navigate a crisis in isolation. A connected community is a resilient one—ready to look out for one another and step up in times of need.

The Bottom Line

We don’t need to choose between being safe and being welcoming. By fostering deep connections within our communities, we actually build our strongest defense. Let’s keep our physical doors secure, but keep our hearts, communication, and community wide open.

Safe by CST

This was written after an incredible webinar we co-hosted with Safe by CST. They share security knowledge and Martyn’s Law information with groups that are vulnerable to violence, extremism or hate crime.

Some quotes from the webinar:

“Thank you, this is the best training on security & Martyn’s Law I have attended to date.” 

 “this was amazing, informative and really needed.”

Other security and Martyn’s Law information:

Martyn’s Law is UK legislation designed to improve protective security and preparedness at public venues and events – this also applies to places of worship.

In this online event with SAFE by CST you can find out more about Martyn’s Law, security, and how to keep your faith communities safe.

Date: 08/07/26

Time: 9:30am

Location: Zoom

Cybercriminals don’t discriminate – Why Charities and Community Groups must act now.

Author: DCI Richard Morrison-Butcher  

Read on to find out about our upcoming event with The Cyber Resilience Centre.

Cybercriminals aren’t known for their generosity. In fact, charities and community groups are increasingly becoming prime targets for cyberattacks. Many organisations assume they are “too small” or “not important enough” to be targeted. The reality is very different. Charities are high-value targets. They hold sensitive personal data, manage significant funds, and rely heavily on public trust. A successful attack doesn’t just impact systems; it can directly affect the people who rely on your services. Recent figures show that around 28% of UK charities experienced a cybersecurity breach or attack in the last 12 months, that’s an estimated 61,000 organisations impacted in a single year. At the same time, cybercrime, and fraud now account for almost half of all recorded crime in England and Wales. The threat is not going away, and charities are firmly in the firing line. 

Why Charities and Community Groups are being targeted 

As charities grow and adopt digital tools, their exposure to cyber risk increases. Unfortunately, this is not always matched with increased cyber resilience. Cybercriminals actively look for organisations that, rely heavily on email and remote working, work with volunteers and distributed teams, operate with limited budgets or specialist cyber expertise and depend on trusted relationships with donors, partners, and beneficiaries. These factors make charities particularly vulnerable to social engineering attacks, especially phishing, which remains the single biggest cyber threat. 

The real impact of a cyber attack 

A cyber incident is rarely “just a technical issue”. For charities, the consequences can be serious and wide-reaching: 

Financial loss through fraud or ransomware 

Data breaches, exposing sensitive personal information 

Reputational damage, leading to loss of trust from donors and beneficiaries 

Regulatory consequences, including potential fines or reporting obligations 

Disruption to critical services, affecting vulnerable communities 

There is also a very real human impact, placing emotional and mental strain on staff, volunteers, and the people your organisation supports. 

Your Charity and Community Group matters, and so does its security 

Charities and community groups are a vital part of the UK’s social fabric. Yet many lack the time, resources, or confidence to tackle cybersecurity effectively. Too often, organisations only realise how exposed they are after something has gone wrong, when the damage is already done. The good news? You don’t need to face this challenge alone. 

How the Cyber Resilience Centre for London can help 

The Cyber Resilience Centre for London (CRC) understands the pressures of running a charity or community group. The CRC is a police-led, government-backed initiative designed to help small organisations strengthen their cyber resilience and protect themselves against cybercrime. We focus on providing: Clear, practical advice, not technical jargon, actionable steps you can implement straight away, and support tailored to organisations with limited time and resources. 

What you can access for free 

By engaging with the CRC, your organisation can benefit from: 

Fully funded cybersecurity awareness training for your team 

A free 1-to-1 cybercrime prevention discussion tailored to your needs 

A range of fully funded technical services 

A monthly newsletter with practical advice and threat insights 

Invitations to webinars, events, and community networking opportunities 

Take simple steps today 

Improving your cyber resilience doesn’t have to be complex or expensive. Small, proactive steps can make a significant difference in protecting your organisation. By joining the CRC community, charities, community groups, faith organisations, and social enterprises can: Reduce their exposure to cyber threats, build confidence in their digital operations, and protect the people and communities we all serve. Stronger cyber resilience equals stronger communities. Your organisation plays a vital role in supporting others. Protecting it from cyber threats is essential to continuing that mission. 

Join the London Boroughs Faiths Network alongside the Cyber Resilience Centre for London in this free webinar to learn more and take the first step towards a safer, more secure future:  

This event has now ended. Please click the button below for a full recording of the session.

Author: DCI Richard Morrison-Butcher  

Written by Joelma Aguiar, Partnerships Coordinator

Reflections from the Charity Times Annual Conference: Building Resilient, Human-Centred Organisations

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Charity Times Annual Conference, a space that brought together charity leaders, practitioners, and changemakers to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing our sector today: resilience.

Across the conference, one message became very clear — charities are operating in an increasingly volatile world. Economic uncertainty, political instability, rising demand for services, workforce burnout, digital transformation, and global humanitarian crises are all placing immense pressure on organisations and their people.

Yet amid these challenges, two speakers particularly stood out to me for their honesty, depth, and practical wisdom: Othman Moqbel from Action For Humanity and Dr Sarah Hughes from Mind.

Resilience Must Be Embedded, Not Added Later

Insights from Othman Moqbel – CEO, Action For Humanity

Othman Moqbel delivered a powerful reflection on the growing instability shaping humanitarian work today. His message resonated deeply because it extended beyond international crises and spoke directly to the reality many charities are experiencing across the UK.

He spoke about how the world has become increasingly unpredictable and fragile. Humanitarian organisations are facing greater demand than ever before, while simultaneously navigating funding pressures, operational risks, political tensions, and rising community needs.

What struck me most was his emphasis that resilience cannot be treated as an emergency response strategy alone. It must become part of the organisational culture itself.

Resilience is not simply about “surviving a crisis.” It is about building systems, leadership structures, partnerships, and organisational mindsets that can adapt continuously in uncertain environments.

This aligns strongly with Othman Moqbel’s recent public commentary, where he highlighted how overlapping crises, conflict, displacement, economic collapse, and weakening public systems are intensifying humanitarian needs globally.  

One particularly important takeaway for me was the understanding that charities can no longer operate reactively. Strategic preparedness, partnership-building, scenario planning, and community resilience need to become embedded in organisational DNA.

For networks like the London Boroughs Faith Network (LBFN), this feels especially relevant. Faith and community organisations are often among the first responders during crises, yet many are operating with limited capacity and resources. The conversation reinforced how vital it is to strengthen local resilience before emergencies occur.

Othman’s perspective also highlighted another important reality: resilience is not only operational but also deeply human. Behind every statistic are communities carrying trauma, uncertainty, and loss. Effective humanitarian leadership, therefore, requires both strategic thinking and compassion.

Vulnerability in Leadership Is Not Weakness

Insights from Dr Sarah Hughes – CEO, Mind

The keynote from Dr Sarah Hughes was equally impactful, though in a very different way.

While many leadership conversations focus heavily on performance, outputs, and solutions, Sarah brought something refreshingly honest to the room: vulnerability.

She spoke openly about the emotional pressures leaders and teams carry, particularly in the charity sector, where professionals are constantly supporting others while often neglecting their own well-being.

One of the strongest themes from her session was the importance of creating psychologically safe workplaces — environments where people feel able to speak honestly about pressure, uncertainty, mental health, and challenges without fear of judgment.

Her message was not about lowering standards or avoiding accountability. Instead, it was about recognising that sustainable organisations require emotionally healthy cultures.

She challenged the idea that leaders must always appear strong, composed, and certain. Sometimes leadership means saying:

“I don’t fully know the answer yet, but we will work through this together.”

This philosophy closely reflects Sarah Hughes’ broader leadership approach, in which she has consistently advocated for more human-centred leadership and healthier workplace cultures within the charity sector.  

I particularly appreciated her discussion of sharing burdens collectively rather than allowing individuals to silently carry overwhelming pressure alone. In many organisations, people are exhausted but afraid to speak up. Creating safe peer spaces for reflection, support, and collaborative problem-solving is becoming essential.

For those working in resilience, emergency planning, humanitarian response, and community cohesion, this insight is incredibly important. Organisations cannot effectively support communities if their own staff and volunteers are emotionally depleted.

Sarah’s keynote was a reminder that resilience is not only about structures and systems. It is also about people feeling seen, supported, and safe enough to be honest.

Final Reflection

The Charity Times Annual Conference left me reflecting on a powerful balance the sector now needs to embrace:

We need stronger systems.

We need adaptive leadership.

We need sustainable partnerships.

But we also need humanity.

True resilience is not built through pressure alone. It is built through trust, preparedness, emotional honesty, collaboration, and shared purpose.

Both Othman Moqbel and Dr Sarah Hughes reminded me that resilient organisations are not the ones pretending everything is fine. They are the ones courageous enough to acknowledge reality, adapt intentionally, and support people through uncertainty together.

As the charity and faith sectors continue navigating increasingly complex challenges, these conversations feel more important than ever.

Further Reading

Action For Humanity – CEO Statements & Humanitarian Insights

Mind CEO Blogs – Dr Sarah Hughes

ACEVO Leadership Conversation with Sarah Hughes

Written by Joelma Aguiar, Partnerships Coordinator

A hate crime is not just an attack on an individual. It is an attack on dignity, belonging, safety and the very fabric of our communities. Whether directed at someone because of their faith, race, disability, sexuality, gender identity or background, hate seeks to divide people through fear and isolation.

Across London and beyond, there is growing concern about the rise in hate crime and community tensions. Yet there is also a powerful truth that emerged clearly from recent conversations between community leaders, local authorities, police representatives and grassroots organisations: communities are strongest when they stand together.

Hate Thrives Where Division Exists

One of the greatest dangers of hate is that it encourages communities to turn inward, mistrust one another and become isolated. Those who spread hate often rely on fear, misinformation and social division to weaken social cohesion.

London is one of the most diverse cities in the world. That diversity is not a weakness; it is one of our greatest strengths. People from different cultures, faiths and backgrounds live, work, study and build communities together every day. Protecting that unity requires intentional effort and collective responsibility.

Many Victims Still Suffer in Silence

A significant amount of hate crimes go unreported. Victims may fear retaliation, feel unsupported or believe nothing will change if they speak out. Others may not even recognise that what they experienced constitutes a hate crime.

This is why trusted community organisations, faith groups and local partnerships are so important. Often, victims are more likely to approach someone they know and trust before contacting official institutions.

Communities need:

– safe reporting pathways

– compassionate support systems

– culturally aware responses

– visible solidarity

No one should feel alone after experiencing hate.

Education Must Be at the Centre

Prevention begins long before an incident takes place. Education plays a major role in shaping attitudes, empathy and understanding.

Young people today are growing up in a complex digital environment where harmful ideologies, online abuse and extremist narratives can spread rapidly. At the same time, many young people are searching for identity, belonging and purpose.

Schools, universities, youth organisations, faith institutions and families all have a role to play in:

– teaching respect and responsibility

– encouraging critical thinking

– promoting healthy dialogue

– creating opportunities for meaningful connections between communities

Building relationships across communities is one of the strongest protections against hatred and misinformation.

Enforcement Alone Is Not Enough

Policing and legal consequences remain important. However, many professionals acknowledge that punishment alone does not solve the root causes of hate.

Long-term solutions require:

– rehabilitation

– mental health support

– restorative approaches

– community engagement

– education and prevention programmes

Communities cannot arrest their way out of hatred. Real change requires the transformation of attitudes and culture.

Faith and Community Organisations Have a Unique Role

Faith leaders and community organisations are often among the most trusted voices in society. They can:

– provide safe spaces for dialogue

– support victims

– challenge harmful narratives

– bring communities together during times of tension

– encourage compassion, dignity and shared humanity

Interfaith collaboration is especially important in today’s climate. When communities stand together publicly against hatred directed at any group, it sends a powerful message that division will not win.

Moving Forward Together

The challenge of hate crime cannot be solved by one organisation alone. It requires collaboration between:

communities – local councils – police – charities – schools – universities – faith groups – young people themselves

Standing against hate is not simply about reacting after harm occurs. It is about building communities where hatred struggles to grow in the first place.

A safer and more united society is possible when people choose solidarity over suspicion, dialogue over division and courage over silence. Thank you to the University of Westminster for hosting their excellent session on addressing hate crime in London, which inspired this blog.

Let’s stand together against hate crimes.