Politics| Regeneration by Ruth Wallace

Regeneration has become a watchword for the Government. Whether the policy relates to gambling, the economy, housing or health all have some relation to regeneration. The buzz phrase that is often banded about is "neighbourhood renewal", or "rebuilding of communities." The Government see the way forward as encouraging small business, ensuring more shops open in run down areas, giving people training to find jobs, but surely neighbourhood renewal and regeneration is about more than simple economics?

Community Building
When the Church talks about neighbourhood renewal they are discussing topics such as child care facilities, advice and counselling, family support, lunch clubs and coffee mornings. A recent report from the London Churches Group for Social Action has found that the faith communities in London now provide more youth workers than local authorities. When churches are considering neighbourhood renewal they are looking at community building.

Therefore it is small wonder that when the Church talks to the Government about neighbourhood renewal there is confusion, misunderstanding, and nothing really gets done. The Government are quite happy for the churches to get on and do "their thing" on community building, and the Church is quite happy for the Government to carry on and do "their thing" on economic regeneration.

Symbiosis
What is key for both sides to understand is that the two exist in a symbiotic relationship. You cannot rebuild a neighbourhood without economic regeneration and community regeneration.

The Church is now beginning to get to grips with the need for social action in communities. More and more churches now have projects aimed at reaching out into communities and helping the most vulnerable and needy. What they must now begin to look at is how they can encourage economic regeneration. How can churches increase employment opportunities within their communities? What can we do to encourage business start up? When we look at the resources we have within the Church, successful business people, lawyers, accountants, shop owners etc. it may actually be an easier task than finding volunteers to help out at a coffee morning once a week.

How many churches in your area have a youth group, how many have a business advice centre for small local businesses? The opportunities for mission is immense. Churches could begin to link projects, businesses with the youth group, providing apprenticeships, work experience and employment opportunities. Mothers and toddlers groups in churches could link up with companies looking for part time staff, or work at home opportunities. There are so many ways of linking the business world with the social world, and it is only when the two meet will real community regeneration occur.

Social and economic need
That is a holistic mission to your community, meeting the economic and social needs of those around your church. By doing both the Church will see strong communities being built, communities that are built on something solid, they are built on jobs and support, opportunities and a caring environment. And at the very heart of the regeneration is an active Church.

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