Faith communities in Oxfordshire give 12,500 hours every month as volunteers, and invest over £8.5m each year in employees, a new study has revealed. In addition, they make 220 rooms and halls available for community activities other than worship, and contribute significantly to the tourist economy.

Those are some of the results of the Building Better Neighbourhoods study carried out by Coventry University on behalf of the Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Alliance (OSCA) and a series of local funding bodies.

The study found that worshipping communities make a substantial contribution to building better neighbourhoods. Examples include a drop-in centre for homeless people in central Oxford, running a credit union for people affected by the recession in Blackbird Leys and the setting up of ‘Street Pastors’ in Wantage and Grove. In the latter initiative, in Wantage on Friday nights, Street Pastors have been patrolling the pavements armed with lollipops for those having drunk too much and flip-flops for women struggling to walk in high heels.

One of the Street Pastors said that, ‘this is not a bad town, but if we can make it a bit safer then it is worth it. I think we will have a calming influence’.

The police commander for the Vale said that ‘it is an excellent way for members of the community to work in partnership with the police in making town centres safer environments and helping those who are vulnerable’.

The research also found that: l Oxfordshire has as many as 450 worshipping communities l Many faith communities have common concerns and are already working together on joint activity l Faith-based social enterprises make an important contribution to meeting local needs l Visits to faith buildings and spaces contribute approximately £1.15m to the county’s economy.

The Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, said: “The picture to emerge is one of rich diversity, with much activity focusing on children and young people and on some of the most disadvantaged and ‘hardest to reach’ groups in Oxfordshire. The challenge now is to build on the partnerships between the faith communities and the public sector bodies serving the county to see how we can all do even better what we are doing well already.”

This research was carried out with funding from an alliance involving a number of funders including faith groups, councils, charities and police.

Hard copies can be ordered from John Gardiner on 01865 251946 or downloaded at www.ocva.org.uk