Football creates the pitch for media and faith groups to meet in Wolverhampton

The 'Creating Connections' event on Thursday, 28 November, 2pm to 7pm, is organised by the Religion Media Centre to improve communications between faith groups and journalists.

Wolves’ emphasis on diversity and inclusion among players, staff and fans mirrors the belief that stronger links between different groups, strengthens community.  

The club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Gurpri Bains, said: “We’re delighted to host this event, which develops our aim of creating a network of contacts in all faith communities, sharing their voice with us and contributing to our work and ethos of One Pack. When I heard of ‘Creating Connections’, it was an obvious choice, we had to hold it here”.

Wolves is following a pattern set by the Football Association, which says delivering a game free from discrimination is one of its key priorities: “Football can bring people from all backgrounds together and many of us practice our faiths and interact with football as part of our daily lives”. 

The FA’s head of diversity and inclusion, Dal Darroch, is one of the speakers at the Creating Connections event. Other keynote speakers include the Mayor, Councillor Linda Leach and the Bishop of Wolverhampton, Dr Timothy Wambunya. A media panel will take questions and explain their trade, and representatives from faith communities will pitch their stories to journalists in the room.

This is the twelfth Creating Connections gathering in a project which, over three years, has provided a unique space for everyone engaged in religion in public life to meet one another. Our audiences in all the cities has included journalists, writers and media professionals, alongside teachers, academics, faith groups, researchers, religious and community leaders and politicians.

Michael Wakelin, executive chair of the Religion Media Centre, said: “Frequently we hear from faith groups and organisations that they feel misunderstood, misrepresented and ignored, causing them to retreat into silence. The gulf this creates is not good for journalism or faith groups. In today’s global society, understanding beliefs, culture and practices has never been more important to foster understanding, respect and social cohesion. We’re delighted to hold Creating Connections at Wolverhampton Wanderers which, along with the FA, is keen to ensure inclusion and we are very grateful to them for their support.”

The Creating Connections project in Wolverhampton has been generously funded by The St Peter’s Saltley Trust, an organisation which supports learning, education and RE in schools.  

For more information visit religionmediacentre.org.uk/events/creating-connections-wolverhampton.