The Methodist Grants Programme supports Methodist churches to run building and development projects focussed on church growth, community engagement and improved accessibility. 

 

The grants programme is funded predominantly by donations from Methodist Insurance PLC, with an overall aim to enhance the mission and ministry of the Methodist Church in the UK and Ireland. 

 

Here are some of the latest projects to receive a welcome funding boost…

 

Lightwood Green Methodist is a small Methodist chapel which has a long history of children’s work. Unfortunately, its existing youth room is no longer fit for purpose and with ambitions to grow its impactful youth work, the church wants to demolish the current space and in its place build a new, multi-purpose extension, which will include a new meeting space, a larger kitchen, toilets and storage. 

 

A £26,500 Methodist Grant will support the project, which will create a space for young people and their families to thrive through the church’s woodcraft workshops and a range of other activities and support services.

 

Dawley falls into two wards; Dawley and Aqueduct and Malinslee and Dawley Bank. Both of which are in the 10% most disadvantaged areas nationally. Poverty is prevalent within the area, and with this comes stress and uncertainty. 

 

Dawley Christian Centre wants to create a space to help reduce stress but also an inclusive place for people with additional needs. £6,000 from Benefact Trust’s Methodist Grants Programme will help to create a sensory garden, which will have a collection of plants and materials laid out in a way to stimulate the senses. This former wasteland will be a tactile and therapeutic environment away from the challenges and stresses of daily life. 

 

Earls Barton Methodist is a well-established church which engages well with the community and hosts a wide variety of weekday activities. The church has ambitions to do more, but unfortunately the building is holding it back from providing more groups and support.

 

A £27,500 Methodist Grant will help the church to make vital improvements, including lift access to the first floor, more toilets, an extended and fitted out kitchen to support larger catering needs, levelling of floors and a new heating system in the older parts of the building. The Methodist church will also create a lighter, brighter and more welcoming entrance for the community, with improved access for all.