About Us

The programmes of the Bahá'í Institute for Community Building draw on educational materials produced by the Ruhi Institute. The Ruhi Institute's courses are used globally to develop materially and spiritually prosperous communities, by inviting residents to walk a path of service in their neighbourhood. This path implies a twofold sense of purpose: to attend to one's own spiritual and intellectual growth, and to contribute to the transformation of society.

The programmes are inspired by the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and the principles of the Bahá'í Faith, an independent world religion, whose central principle is the oneness of humanity. People from all backgrounds participate and contribute to these community building programmes. Please use the following link if you wish to find out more about the Bahá'í Faith. In addition, if you would like to contact the local Bahá'í community in Hackney, please visit the Hackney Bahá'ís website.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Where do groups and sessions take place? Where are camps held?

Weekly sessions for year 7+ take place on Wednesdays and Fridays at Redmond Centre on Kayani Avenue, N4, an amazing hub for community activities that brings people and families together. Camps and training sessions held at each half term and school holiday are held at an educational centre near Bicester Village, OX25 1NY. Other locations that have hosted groups and camps across Hackney include:

  • Morningside Community Center, Cresset Rd, E9
  • Concorde Youth Hub / Kingsmead Community Centre, Kingsmead Way, E9
  • Gascoyne Community Centre, E9
  • Frampton Park Community Hall, E9
  • The Archer Tower, E9
  • Ben Simons Community Hall, N15

Who can serve as a mentor to youth and children?

Serving as a tutor for youth and adults, an animator of junior youth groups and a children's class teacher are paths of service open to all community members who want to make a contribution. We offer a range of courses of the Ruhi Institute involving study, practice and shadowing. All our resources are provided with a free DBS check.

Can I get involved and help out in other ways?

Of course! Our community is rich in diverse talents and skills. If there is a way you would like to contribute and be of service, through consultation we can find a way to channel our abilities towards the community's wellbeing.

What's the cost of the camp? Can I get support with my fee?

Cost should never be a barrier. While group sessions are free, extracurricular activities and camps naturally have associated costs. Our residential centre offers subsidies for overnight camps, so that costs amount to £9 per day (inc. board/meals) for under 18s, plus £20 for a roundtrip coach. Before every camp, groups also organise fundraising activities, which help cover the proportion of fees families struggle to cover alone.

How are the programmes funded?

The Institute's programmes are funded largely by the local Bahá'í community, composed of individuals who believe wholeheartedly in the capacity of young people to effect change in their communities. The programmes are open to donations from community members, both in-kind and monetary.

What role does faith play?

Faith continues to be a force that informs our sense of purpose, morality and decision-making, and shapes the content of our programmes. The majority of the people of our community have spiritual convictions, and enrich the Institute's programmes by offering their knowledge and perspectives. While many don't subscribe to any faith group, many come from the local Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities, and faith plays a strong role in most young people's lives. The Bahá'í community works alongside those from all backgrounds to contribute to a vision of building harmony and community in our local area, drawing on the diversity of beliefs and practices embedded in our local culture.

What should I bring/pack for holiday camps and trainings?

Apart from seasonal-wear, we have sport as part of the daily programme — so pack some gym clothes. Sports and arts equipment are included. Towels are provided too. Participants must bring toiletries, soap and shampoo. We avoid providing medication, so all medical conditions and medications for underage participants should be packed and noted in your registration.

Can you give a little information about rules and safety measures?

Standard or enhanced DBS checks are provided for all those working with vulnerable populations and age groups in our programmes. At group sessions, we work with our local centre to maintain a clean, healthy and safe environment. For safety at camps, there is a zero tolerance policy for illicit drug use, aggression, and breaking rules in the code of conduct all must sign and agree to before attending.