Around 100 civic leaders, senior faith figures, and partners from health and social care came together to mark the launch of the Manifesto for Hope for the Liverpool City Region.
The event held at The Reader in Calderstones Park formed a key moment in the Faith in the City 40th anniversary project, delivered by Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (CTMR) in partnership with Together Liverpool.
Developed with input from local communities and experienced practitioners, the Manifesto sets out nine shared priorities for a fairer, more compassionate Liverpool City Region where everyone can flourish. These include a commitment to equality, the building of cohesive and compassionate communities, tackling loneliness, encouraging fair employment practices and demonstrating the courage to act with honesty and openness.
Together Liverpool with CTMR is encouraging churches, faith groups, projects and partners to:
- Read the Manifesto and use it as a prompt for prayer, reflection and conversation
- Share it widely across networks
- Consider how to commit to one or more of its priorities in their own setting
We’re also asking people, once they have read the Manifesto, to make a pledge of support by committing to take action in response to any of the nine priorities and areas of focus.
Pledge: Individuals and organisations can make their pledge here.
Download the Manifesto for Hope:
Rooted in the same spirit that inspired the 1985 Faith in the City report, the Manifesto has been endorsed by key leaders including Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool; the Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool; Revd Phil Jump, Chair of Churches Together and Regional Minister for the North Western Baptist Association; Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, and Cllr. Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council.
Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool, said:
“Love, hope and solidarity form the foundation of our shared response, as outlined in the Manifesto for Hope. Together, we can build a society where everyone is valued and no one is left behind. Supporting those in need is not merely an act of kindness, but is central to our shared humanity. This manifesto stands as a reminder of what can be achieved when we unite around a common goal, echoing Jesus’ words: ‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these you did for me… whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’ (Matt 25:40,45).”
The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool, said:
“Everyone has a role to play in realising the objectives outlined in the Manifesto for Hope. By coming together, we can drive meaningful change. Liverpool Cathedral’s essence of being built by the people for the people, also reflects the very ethos of this manifesto and what it represents. United side by side, our combined strength can therefore unite communities and create opportunities for a better life for thousands of people.”
Revd Phil Jump, Regional Minister for the North West Baptist Association, said:
“No one can doubt that our city region and our nations face significant challenges at the present time. It is easy in such circumstances to be overcome by despair and be swept along by narratives of blame. We hope this manifesto will inspire everyone across our city region, irrespective of their faith background, to recognise what can be accomplished when communities work together and to see those things that are wrong in society as opportunities to strive for better.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“Forty years ago, Faith in the City exposed the deep social and economic inequalities facing areas like ours that were written off for ‘managed decline’. Fortunately, those days are far behind us, and we now have something that we didn’t have back then: devolution. From helping hundreds of people into safe, secure homes through Housing First to supporting disadvantaged young people through Cradle to Career, we’re investing in people-focused, compassion-driven projects that are transforming people’s lives. Because the measure of any decent society should be how it treats its most vulnerable citizens – and at a time when the threads that bind our communities are under strain, how we choose to respond matters more than ever. That’s why I welcome this Manifesto for Hope – it’s a powerful reaffirmation of our shared commitment to compassion, dignity and justice.”
Together Liverpool CEO Rev James Green said:
“Forty years on from the original Faith in the City report, rising poverty, food insecurity, loneliness, and increasingly fractured communities show our systems are failing.Faith communities are working tirelessly to support those in the greatest need across our City Region but they need more support. The manifesto is a call to action for civic leaders, faith groups, and local communities to work in closer partnership to build a fairer and more just city region, where everyone can thrive.”
View our gallery of photos from the launch event, kindly funded by the Josephine Butler Memorial Trust:
Please also pray for the work – here is a prayer shared at the launch event:
With thanks from Churches Together in the Merseyside Region and Together Liverpool, to all who participated in the creation of the Manifesto, and those who have pledged their support.
