Churches Regional Commission (CRC)

The decline of shipbuilding and manufacturing industries has led to high levels of inequality, poverty and unemployment across the north-east.

Church warden Susan Haswell believes it is the duty of faith leaders to go out in the community and help people tackle these issues.

“It’s incredibly important that we start both practically going out and helping those in need, but also befriending people, so that they feel valued.”

Across the region the Church Regional Commission (CRC) in the North East has been doing precisely that, attempting to understand and help members of the community confront issues of deprivation and poverty.

The CRC is a charity which was set up in 1995 as a joint venture by all the Christian denominations in the North East to promote the Church’s work more effectively in the region.

Its main objective is to work in partnership with North East Christian Churches Together (NECCT) to promote social action by churches and faith communities, encouraging them to extend their contributions to the development of the region.

The Commission has hosted public discussions into the needs of communities under stress, including the Good Society event in Newcastle, where leaders from multiple faith groups discussed the role of faith in establishing a healthy community.

CRC has also worked closely with Durham County Council, producing briefing reports for council members and officers.

These reports have helped the Council to understand how faith-based values can inform public policies and practices.