Hidden Treasure in Cheshire East

Faith Sector Audit

A survey of how faith-based caring and community initiatives contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of our area.

In data published by the North West Regional Development Agency in 2005 faith groups were demonstrated to be present and active in areas both of affluence and deprivation in urban and rural settings. With over 45,000 faith volunteers and premises made available at neighbourhood level, faith communities made a net £90-95 million contribution to civil life in the North West.

In 2010/2011 Go Project is leading a project to undertake a full audit of the faith sector across the Cheshire East area. This is similar to a piece of work that has previously been done in Stoke and North Staffordshire by the Saltbox Christian Centre and more recently Link-up in Cheshire West, both of whom are giving support and guidance to us for which we are grateful.

In addition a support group comprising representatives of the different areas within Cheshire East and different Christian denominations and faith traditions is guiding and assisting in implementing the audit process.

Preliminary reports, which will be related to the new Cheshire East Sustainable Communities Strategy, Ambition for All, published in August 2010, are anticipated by early Spring 2011.

"I am delighted - in my capacity as member of Parliament for Macclesfield - to offer my support and endorsement for taking forward the Faith Action Audit in Cheshire East."

David Rutley MP

Click here for the full text of David Rutley's letter of support

Audit Timescales

Summer/Autumn 2010: engage sponsors, promote the audit process and assemble mailing list
Winter 2010: mail-out, follow-up and receive questionnaires
Spring 2011: analyse and report results to sponsors

Click here for more information about the Hidden Treasure in Cheshire East Faith Sector Audit

Click here for more information about Faith in England's North West

Click here for more information about Saltbox's Faith Action Audit

The Faith Sector Audit Questionnaires are scheduled to mail out from Tuesday 19th October 2010.

As part of our preparation we have sought to engage with all Faith Communities and Groups across the region. If you are part of such a group; aware of others, or have affiliates elsewhere within Cheshire East who may not have received the questionnaire by post, then you can download the questionnaire and guidance notes here.

Questionnaires should be completed and returned to Go Project Office by Friday 19th November 2010.

Click here to download the Faith Sector Audit Questionnaire

Click here to download the Faith Sector Audit Guidance Notes

UPDATE 24th June 2011 - The results of the audit have been analysed and the report is now available online.

Download your copy of the Hidden Treasure in Cheshire East Faith Action Audit report.

The Faith Sector Audit Support Group:

Revd. Andrew Allan, Poynton Christian Fellowship (AOG), Poynton Action Trust; Jenny Bailey, ASK Prayer Network; Revd. Ian Bishop, St Mary's, Middlewich; Revd. Steve Burmester, St Chad's Handforth; Steve Hodgkinson, New Life Church, Congleton; Keith Ineson, Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy Team; Revd. Peter Lillicrap, St Mary's Acton; Pip Mosscrop, Hope in North East Cheshire; Adrian Roberts, Go Project; Revd. Marion Tugwood, URC, Macclesfield, & Chair Hope in North East Cheshire; Revd. Paul Wilson, (Chair), Knutsford Methodist Church; Rob Wykes, Christian Concern, Crewe.