Affordable Housing

CAWS wishes to see more affordable housing made available, particularly in rural areas and encourages the use of church land for housing. See the publications page for a booklet on affordable housing.

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Community Chaplaincy

Collaborating with the Diocean Mothers' Union and prison chaplains to develop this work.

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Economic Development and Regeneration

Promoting sustainable economic activity and pastoral care for working people through:
Black Country Urban & Industrial Mission (BCUIM)
Chaplaincy for Agricultural & Rural Life (CARL)
Worcestershire Industrial Mission (WIM)

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Environmental issues

• Informing parishes on environmental issues and encouraging good practice.
• Assisting the diocese in the development of an environmental strategy.
• Working with diocesan staff to reduce the environmental impact of the diocesan offices.

A small group enables CAWS to keep in touch with current issues.
The Church of England’s aim of shrinking the Church’s carbon emissions to 40% of 2005 levels by 2050. See Shrinking the footprint for more details.

At its meeting in January, the Bishop's Council approved the terms of reference for a new task group, which will develop an environmental strategy for the diocese. Read more about it.

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Health and mental health

A small group is able to respond to government policy documents, inform parishes about health policy issues and organises occasional training and support.

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Information

The Social Responsibility Officer can be approached for information on a range of social issues and for statistical information, including the Index of Multiple Deprivation, in relation to local areas within the diocese.

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Migrant agricultural workers

Working in partnership with statutory agencies, deaneries and parishes to try to improve conditions and pastoral and social support for migrant agricultural workers.

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Personal Relationships

A small group advises CAWS on a range of personal relationships issues. Current work focuses on parenting, child contact centres and domestic violence.

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Poverty

Encouraging local projects in areas of multiple deprivation and advising on applications to the Church Urban Fund.

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Racial Justice

A small group has surveyed staff and clergy training needs (November 2006) and will develop a programme of staff training.

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