Monthly grants: helping young people and supporting displaced communities
In total, we awarded more than £670,000 last month in grants to churches and Christian charities across the UK and Ireland. These are just some of the projects to benefit.
Community Impact Grants
Our Community Impact Grants support churches and Christian charities delivering projects that address social challenges and make a positive difference in their communities.
Saltmine Trust, Dudley, West Midlands – £6,300
Christian theatre company Saltmine Trust creates theatre for young people on social issues including domestic violence, internet safety, mental health and more.
With the support of a Community Impact Grant, the charity will deliver Faultlines, a programme of school performances and workshops in disadvantaged areas of Birmingham, Dudley and Wolverhampton.
By taking part, young people will be supported to explore what healthy relationships should look like and recognise harmful behaviours.
Sixty-One, Bristol – £11,000
Prison leavers can struggle to adapt to life after release because of factors like poverty, homelessness, or substance abuse. They can find it hard to build a support network, leading to isolation and an increased risk of re-offending.
Bristol-based charity Sixty-One is helping to address these challenges through its church-based rehabilitative hubs. Having launched its first hub in 2015, the charity now has four across the Bristol area. More than 60% of prison leavers supported reported improved mental and physical health.
A Community Impact Grant will support a new team member to build local relationships, develop partnerships and train volunteer teams, so the scheme can be expanded to more churches.
Ukrainian Catholic Church, Dublin – £16,000
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic Church has supported displaced Ukrainians and their families through pastoral care, practical help, community and social events.
Supported by a Community Impact Grant, the Church aims to create a three-year programme for displaced Ukrainians living locally and across Ireland. Activities will include a youth group, Bible reading sessions, community outreach and sports teams – creating a safe and supportive place for the Ukrainian community and local Irish parishioners alike.
Northumbrian Industrial Mission – £5,800
For more than 40 years, Northumbrian Industrial Mission has supported people of all faiths and none through workplace chaplaincy. The charity helps workers in many sectors including industry, manufacturing, public services and retail – such as at the Metrocentre shopping centre in Gateshead.
Northumbrian Industrial Mission has noticed increased demand from centre workers for support around mental health and wellbeing, anxiety, workplace stress, loneliness and similar issues.
A Community Impact Grant will allow the mission to expand its workplace chaplaincy presence from one day to three days a week, providing more support for workers and taking a more proactive and preventative approach.
Building Grants
Our Building Grants provide funding for churches to improve their buildings, helping create more accessible, inclusive and welcoming spaces for congregations and local communities.
St Mary’s Parish Church, Westport, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland – £5,000
The sound quality at this well-attended church varies across different areas, making it hard for some members – especially those with impaired hearing – to fully participate in services and gatherings.
A Building Grant will help the church replace, upgrade and rewire its sound system. This will help make services and gatherings more accessible, ensuring that all members of the congregation can hear, take part and feel included.
St Leonard’s Church, Leominster, Herefordshire – £5,400
As a working church hosting a café, shop and post office, St Leonard’s sits right at the centre of its community. The café hosts events and initiatives, including for hard-to-reach groups. Its income is important for the church, funding 40% of annual expenditure on repairs and maintenance.
With its Building Grant, the church will increase the capacity of the café and improve the working environment for volunteers. Work will include redesigning and extending the service and preparation areas and increasing seating, helping the church welcome and support more people from the local community.