DIFFERENT faith communities will be showcasing their work in the city to support asylum-seekers and refugee families making their new home in the city.

Tomorrow’s major event at Bradford’s Faith Centre in Oakwood Court, City Road, comes one year after the leaders of major faiths across the city signed a charter to inspire a united effort to help fund initiatives and projects offering help, including foodbanks and welcome centres.

Last June representatives from faiths and community groups gathered in front of City Hall to show their communities were already doing their bit but could do even more if they pooled their resources together and encouraged other faiths to get involved.

The charter followed a similar initiative started in Sheffield six months earlier, Bishop of Bradford the Rt Rev Toby Howarth was just one of the leaders who signed it, as well as Balu Lad, from the Shree Hindu Temple and Community Centre in Little Horton Lane.

One year on and the city’s efforts and achievements welcoming strangers has grown impressively, says Will Sutcliffe who is chairman of Bradford’s City of Sanctuary project.

“There are inspiring communities and inspiring people all over Bradford and the idea is for the event to showcase this work, raise awareness and inspire others. There are people who open up their homes, who cut hair for free. There is a lot happening to be proud of,” he said.

Gurdwara Guru Nanak in Wakefield Road opens its fitness centre up for free sessions every week for asylum-seekers and refugees, the BEACON project has volunteers who open up their spare room to those who are destitute and Abigail Housing runs a scheme where people give their unused houses free of charge to be used as shelter for those in need.

Bradford has a long tradition of welcoming strangers fleeing from many of the world’s most dangerous places including Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Iraq and Eritrea. “We hope people will join us at our Faiths In Action event to find out how faith communities and other organisations are responding in practical ways to welcome and support these people and many of the contributions they are making to the life of the city.”

In 2010 Bradford was the third city in the UK to be officially recognised as a City of Sanctuary. The Faiths In Action event opens at noon until 4pm featuring information stalls, refugee speakers, food, children’s crafts and activities.

Those supporting it include the Council For Mosques, the Khidmat Centre, Yorkshire Sikh Forum, Muslim Hands charity and the Church of England.