Spirit of the North is an interfaith project for people between the ages of 16 and 30 years living in the north of England. The project uses arts and photography based workshops to enable young adults from diverse faith communities to work together and explore their religion and beliefs. It seeks to present, through photographs, certain key members of the local community at work and at worship. It shows that these people make an important contribution to the local economy and community and that their spiritual practices are an integral to the quality of this contribution.

The initiative is made up of eighteen photographic and arts projects across the north of England. The Spirit of Blackburn was the pilot for this piece of work, and the images created were exhibited in several locations around the country from September 2005. In addition to learning photography skills the young volunteers also participated in discussions about the various faiths and their perceptions of them. The project has also recently been launched in Burnley, and is about to be launched in Accrington.

Spirit of the North is innovative, dynamic and unique in its approach to community cohesion in communities that are at risk of religious conflict. This work seeks to show that each of the Religions makes an important contribution to our life and culture and is a blessing not a threat. The United Religions Initiative UK is prepared to meet interested communities in the North of England who wish to explore the use of this project.

Project type

• Arts
• Interfaith
• Youth groups

Region

• North West region