How can we build a fairer, more connected and hopeful Liverpool City Region?
The Manifesto for Hope in our City Region brings people together around that shared ambition.
Developed by Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (CTMR), in partnership with Together Liverpool, it sets out nine priorities for tackling inequality, strengthening communities and working towards the common good.
Published in 2025, the Manifesto was inspired by the 1985 Faith in the City report and its call for justice, equality and dignity for all. It carries that legacy forward, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities facing our communities today.
Read the Manifesto
Shaped by voices from across our communities, the Manifesto for Hope in our City Region sets out nine shared priorities for a fairer, more compassionate Liverpool City Region:
- A renewed vision of human society
- The rebuilding of trust
- Courageous honesty
- Constructive partnership
- True equality
- Harmony and cohesion
- No one feels alone
- Faith in Business
- A Vision of Hope
Together, these priorities offer a shared starting point for thinking about the kind of region we want to build and how we can work towards it.
By engaging with the Manifesto, you join a growing movement committed to building hope, strengthening community connection, and responding to need with kindness and courage.
Community Conversations: from shared vision to local action
The Manifesto for Hope is intended to be a living document – something we engage with and put into practice in our own communities.
Through our Manifesto for Hope Community Conversations, CTMR and Together Liverpool are bringing together people from faith communities, businesses, voluntary organisations and public services.
The conversations provide space to listen to local experiences, share ideas and explore how we can work together to address local challenges and build stronger communities. The first conversations have taken place in Halton and Anfield, with further opportunities planned across the Liverpool City Region.
Support for the Manifesto for Hope
The Manifesto for Hope is intended to be a living document – something we engage with and put into practice in our own communities.
The Manifesto has received support from church and civic leaders across the Liverpool City Region.
They include the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, and the Interim Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd Ruth Worsley.
Key milestones
November 2025 – Manifesto launched – Published to mark 40 years since Faith in the City, the Manifesto brought together nine shared priorities for a fairer, more connected and hopeful Liverpool City Region. Read more
July 2026 – Liverpool City Council backs the Manifesto – Councillors gave unanimous, cross-party backing, agreeing to establish a working group to consider its priorities and convene an interfaith forum in 2027. Read more
September 2026 – Presented at Liverpool Cathedral – The Manifesto was presented to Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, Pope Leo XIV’s representative in Great Britain, at a gathering of church, faith and civic leaders. Read more
June 2026 onwards – Community Conversations – The first conversations in West Derby, Halton and Anfield began exploring how the Manifesto’s priorities can lead to practical action and stronger local partnerships. Book a workshop for your team.
Be part of building hope
The Manifesto for Hope sets out a shared vision for a fairer, more connected and hopeful Liverpool City Region. Now we’re asking you to help put that vision into action.
Make a pledge to support one or more of the Manifesto’s nine priorities. You could start something new, strengthen work already happening, support a local campaign or take simple steps to build connection and compassion in your community.
Every commitment, however small, can make a difference.
“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).”
Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool
“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.”
Revd Phil Jump, Regional Minister for the North West Baptist Association
“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.”
Rev James Green CEO, Together Liverpool
“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.”
Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool
“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.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
“Faith in the City remains a powerful call to action for churches and communities to work for justice and solidarity. This anniversary is a unique opportunity to reflect on its legacy and engage a diverse range of voices – faith groups, volunteers, and local faith leaders – in shaping a vision for the future. Together, we hope to inspire a renewed commitment to social justice, solidarity, and collective action as we shape a better future.”
Fran D’Arcy – Faith in the City Lead Development Officer (Together Liverpool & Churches Together in the Merseyside Region)
View our gallery of photos from the launch of the Manifesto for Hope in November 2025, kindly funded by the Josephine Butler Memorial Trust:
FAQs Explore the sections below to find out more
What was the Faith in the City report?
The Faith in the City report was published in 1985 by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Urban Priority Areas. It highlighted the urgent needs of people living in inner-city communities and called on both the Church and the Government to take action. The report was a landmark moment, recognising the role of faith in tackling poverty and inequality.
Why is the anniversary being marked in 2025?
Marking the 40-year legacy of Faith in the City is an opportunity for reflection and renewal. It’s a chance to celebrate the report’s impact, highlight stories of change, and acknowledge how faith-led social action has supported communities over generations. It’s also a call to action to address ongoing needs and build stronger partnerships with civic leaders.
40th anniversary year themes
We are exploring three themes as part of our Faith in the City 40th anniversary work:
- Charity to Solidarity Exploring how faith-based social action has evolved into deeper partnerships with communities.
- What Difference Does Faith Make? Reflecting on the role of faith in inspiring action across diverse communities.
- How Can Faith Communities Engage with Civic Leaders? Advocating for collaborative, sustainable support models with government and public bodies.
Marking the legacy
Through stories, events, and reflections, we plan to honour voices from the original report and highlight the many unsung heroes involved in faith-led social action. We hope to include diverse perspectives from those who were less visible in 1985. Alongside this, we aim to explore everyday acts of kindness and connect past achievements with future possibilities.
Faith in the City 40th anniversary events in 2025 include:
- Micah Lecture at Liverpool Cathedral (June 2025)
- Social Action Network Conference hosted by the Archdiocese of Liverpool (July 2025)
- Faith in the City 40th anniversary celebration (November 2025)
Vision for the City manifesto
This anniversary is not just about looking back, it’s about moving forward. One of the key ways we’ll do that is by creating the Vision for the City manifesto. The stories and reflections we gather will help shape this manifesto and highlight both progress and the gaps that remain.
The Vision for the City manifesto will present a clear picture to civic leaders and faith communities, calling for meaningful, lasting change. We’ll build on the legacy of Faith in the City by asking questions like: “What more can be done?”, “What can be done differently?”, and “How can we make sure no one is left behind?”
By sharing the stories of those still fighting for justice today, the manifesto will honour the past while addressing the challenges we continue to face.
How can I get involved?
Share your story – whether you’re a faith leader, volunteer, or community member. Your voice can shape the Vision for the City and help inspire others. Get in touch with our Faith in the City Project Lead Development officer Fran D’Arcy and be part of building a fairer, more compassionate future.