A celebration of Inter Faith Week in Cheltenham

Anyone who would like to visit, learn more about and celebrate the diversity of faith and belief in Cheltenham is welcome to attend any of the events and all tickets are free. 

The theme for Inter Faith Week 2025 is “Community: Together We Serve.” This is to show how important it is to extend a hand in welcome, foster neighbourliness, and spread kindness to one another and the broader community. The events set out to challenge prejudice and division.

The week will be celebrated at a final event to bring everyone together on the evening of Monday 17 November. This will include an inter faith quiz to test and improve your knowledge about the different faiths represented in Cheltenham and a free vegetarian meal will be shared. We ask attendees for the final event to have attended at least one of the open events taking place in the week before. 

All of the details about the week’s events and how to book are available on Ticketsource.

These events are being delivered in partnership with Cheltenham Inter Faith and Cheltenham Borough Council.

Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “I have attended many Cheltenham Inter Faith events over the years and I know all faiths, like my own, share many common values such as showing kindness and treating others as you would like to be treated yourself.

“In today’s society as we witness growing hostility and hatred in our streets, online and on the TV, it’s important more than ever, we take a step back to appreciate and respect our differences. By simply not knowing enough, can often lead to anxiety and fear towards faiths and beliefs groups.

“Whatever our belief, we all play important roles in our own communities, and collectively we have a fantastic opportunity during Inter Faith Week to not just tolerate each other’s views but celebrate them too.  

“I particularly look forward to this time of year, when doors are warmly opened to visitors, as it provides everyone in Cheltenham with a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and learn through real life experiences.”

Stuart Elton, secretary of Cheltenham Inter Faith, said: “Through Inter Faith Week this year we are looking forward to making connections between people of different faiths or no faith and standing together for kindness and neighbourliness. 

“I hope lots of people take the opportunity to go and visit the spiritual homes of our local faith groups and to learn more about them, ask questions and enjoy themselves.”

For more details, please email [email protected] or visit Cheltenham Inter Faith website.

ENDS

For press enquiries contact: communications by email at [email protected] or telephone 01242 264231.

Notes:

National Inter Faith Week aims to:

• Strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels
• Increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society
• Increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs.