About us

Trustees
Trustees AGM May 22

Our Vision

Our vision is to work towards and build a community that respects, co-operates with and understands the integrity of each other’s beliefs, culture and traditions

We are an independent charity that aims to give Faith Communities in Redbridge a collective voice by identifying and addressing issues that affect residents.

What we do

We provide frequent opportunities for inter-faith dialogue through events and activities including

  • Quarterly Network Meetings,
  • Public Open Forums,
  • Multi-Faith Social Events including the Annual Walk of Peace
  • Partnership Work with other voluntary sector organisations to inform residents and encourage civic participation. 

These events are open to all. 

We are keen to work with schools to promote tolerance, understanding and equal opportunities.

Additionally, we have developed a thriving women’s group which enables women from different faiths to have healthy discussions on a range of topics of mutual interest that will help overcome ignorance, prejudice and cross barriers. The group brings women together across faith to gain the confidence and skills to bridge and link into different cultures.  Workshops are held in the meeting spaces of varying faith community buildings

Our latest Annual Report is available here and our Annual Accounts here .

Who are we?

Redbridge Faith Forum (RFF) is an independent organisation that aims to give Faith Communities in Redbridge a collective voice by identifying and addressing issues that affect residents.  RFF’s inaugural meeting took place in December 2003 and was registered as a Charity in 2006 (Reg No 1118675).

Our vision is to work towards and build a community that respects, co-operates with and  understands the integrity of each other’s beliefs, culture and traditions.

Redbridge Faith Forum has an office in the Town Hall  and supports Redbridge Compact. The charity employs a part-time member of staff who is assisted by a much-valued team of volunteers and has a Board of Trustees drawn from faith practitioners from all the main religions represented in the borough.

Our Trustees

As a Charity we have a Board of Trustees made up of volunteers, and faith practitioners from the main religions represented in the Borough.  Trustees are active on many statutory and community boards and committees and contribute to other voluntary sector events.

These currently include

  • Redbridge Safer Neighbourhood Board
  • The Redbridge Compact
  • Redbridge CVS
  • The Redbridge Dementia Partnership
  • Local Safeguarding Children’s Board
  • Community Tension

They also regularly contribute to public consultations from statutory bodies such as the Department of Health and London Borough of Redbridge.

The Board of Trustees meets usually on a weekday, at 5:30 pm, and has collective responsibility for fulfilling the aims and objectives of the Redbridge Faith Forum. During these meetings, there have been presentations and speakers from a variety of organisations and agencies.

Mohamed Omer: Chair

Mohamed is one of our Muslim representatives and is currently Chair of Trustees.  Mohamed was awarded the M.B.E. in the Queens Birthday 2020 Honours for his community service during the Covid pandemic.  He has been a resident of Redbridge since 1989 and is involved with a number of community projects:-

Chair of Oaks Park High School –the only PFI school in the Borough

Trustee of Haven House Childrens Hospice

Director of Big Issue Invest

Board Member - External Affairs, Garden of Peace, Muslim cemetery

Mrs Vinaya Sharma - Vice Chair
Mo Dedat - Treasurer
Appathurai Ramkumar – Secretary (also known as Ram)
Angela Banner
Mitzi Kalinsky
Phil Butcher
Dr Pratibha Datta
Rev Pethigamuwe Hemaratana
Mrs Carol Khorsandyon
Rev Mmasape Zihle
Rev Sujeeth Kumar
Ahmad Nawaz
Mr Harpreet Shergill
Harmander Singh
Dr Sundara Suhasini aka Suhas

Our Staff & Volunteers

 

 

Saira Yakub works on a part-time basis as the Project and Finance Officer.

Karen Kent retired June 2022.

Redbridge Faith Forum is grateful for the support of our enthusiastic volunteers who assist staff with administrative tasks both in the office and at events and activities.

Natia Kutashvili (Admin & Events Volunteer)