Methodist Grants: supporting communities, young people, and sustainability
In Benefact Trust’s latest round of Methodist Grants, a record amount of funding was awarded to Methodist organisations, helping them to strengthen their mission and ministry.
Some of the latest grants are supporting projects investing in young people, community spaces, improved sustainability, and accessibility. Benefact Trust’s Methodist Grants Programme exists to help Methodist churches like these to thrive, it’s funded by donations from Methodist Insurance PLC.
Here are some of the latest grants:
Layton Methodist Church, Lancashire – £90,000 for a new youth hub
Layton Methodist Church has received a £90,000 grant to create a new Youth Hub above its existing school hall building, providing a dedicated space for children and young people in one of Blackpool's most disadvantaged communities.
Operating as a community hub six days a week, the church supports local residents facing poverty, poor health, and social isolation. Through strong partnerships with local schools, it has developed programmes that help young people build confidence, improve wellbeing and strengthen community connections.
The new hub will provide a safe and inclusive environment for wellbeing, education, skills development, faith and community activities.
The development is expected to enable the church to support an additional 1,000 young people, building on a decade of significant growth in both its congregation and community outreach.
Dublin Central Mission CLG, Dublin – £9,000 to prioritise renewable energy
Dublin Central Mission (DCM) has received a grant to help install 144 solar panels at its Ailt An Óir Independent Living Centre in Glenageary.
Part of a wider sustainability programme, the project follows the success of a similar installation at Mount Tabor Nursing Home and will generate more than 51,000kWh of renewable energy each year while reducing carbon emissions by around 18 tonnes annually.
As well as delivering environmental benefits, the project will create significant financial savings, enabling DCM to put extra resource into its frontline services.
By combining environmental stewardship with practical community care, the project demonstrates how Methodist organisations are creating lasting benefits for both people and the planet.
Ashbourne Methodist Church, Derbyshire – £9,700 for a community garden
Ashbourne Methodist Church has been awarded funding to create the Henmore Community Garden, transforming an unused and overgrown area of land into an accessible green space for the whole community.
Developed alongside the church's Link Community Hub, the professionally landscaped garden will provide opportunities for community gardening, volunteering, outdoor learning, wellbeing activities and social gatherings.
The project was developed in response to local consultation which identified a lack of accessible outdoor space in the town, particularly for older people, young people and those without private gardens. Once complete, the garden is expected to benefit between 3,000 and 5,000 people each year.
The new space will help strengthen community connections, improve wellbeing and create opportunities for people to engage with nature in the heart of Ashbourne.
Balsall Common Methodist Church, West Midlands – £40,000 to create a flexible community space
Balsall Common Methodist Church has received support to extend and modernise its building, creating a second flexible meeting room, welcoming café area, and improved accessibility.
The church currently hosts 19 community groups within a single hall, including a Parkinson's support group, Pilates classes and an Art Club. Feedback from the community highlighted the need for a smaller, more flexible space better suited to meetings, activities and social support.
The improvements will help the church accommodate new groups while continuing to serve existing users. The project also comes as the local area prepares for significant growth, with around 1,700 new homes planned nearby.
By enabling multiple activities to take place at the same time and creating additional opportunities for people to connect, the development will help strengthen the church's role as a community hub for residents of all ages.
These projects reflect the many ways Methodist churches and organisations are responding to local need. From creating opportunities for young people and tackling isolation, to reducing carbon emissions and developing welcoming community spaces, each project will help strengthen local communities and support Methodist mission for years to come.
Would you like to explore how Methodist Grants can support your church or organisation?
Visit our Methodist Grants Programme page to find out more about the funding available and how to apply.
The Methodist Grants Programme is administered by Benefact Trust and funded by donations from Methodist Insurance PLC.