Published: 16 December 2024
A quarter of a million pounds has been awarded to Methodist churches and organisations across the UK and Ireland, in our latest wave of Methodist Grants.
With Christmas just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to surprise inspiring organisations with vital funding support.
Here are some of the projects to receive funding from the Methodist Grants Programme, which is helping Methodist organisations to grow, enhance accessibility, community connection, and sustainability:
East Anglia Methodist Historical Society, Norfolk
The East Anglia Methodist Heritage Centre was created to tell the story of Methodism's contribution to East Anglian life over the last 200 years. It has a fascinating display of historic artefacts, documents and collections from old churches and owners.
The heritage centre has had a huge amount of material donated and it’s running out of space to display this rich and interesting history.
An £8,500 Methodist Grant will help the historical society to build an extension and double the size of the heritage centre’s research library, also creating accessible toilets and increased storage.
Edale Methodist Chapel, Derbyshire
Edale Methodist Chapel was built in 1811 and has been well looked after over the years by the community.
In recent years, they have installed water to the chapel, an accessible toilet, rewired the building, installed temporary heating, created a car parking area and have undertaken some major building repairs.
Although the chapel already provides a range of community activities, there is a sense that more could be done if the building wasn’t held back by its lack of accessibility.
£16,000 from the Methodist Grants Programme will support the completion of Edale Methodist's building renovation, equipping it with mobility and accessibility aids in the chapel and grounds, a hearing loop, braille text around the building, and the installation of a sustainable heating system.
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Broomhill Methodist Centre, Sheffield
The community around Broomhill Methodist Centre is growing, with a rising interest in non-traditional forms of church. The centre’s outreach attracts a diverse range of people and wants to build on its work to create a more engaging and accessible community space.
The local area has limited options for recreational facilities catering specifically to families and young adults. This gap in services has been identified through community consultations and feedback, suggesting a strong desire for safe, inclusive spaces that promote physical activity and socialisation.
A £33,400 grant will help to construct a climbing wall and creative play centre to enhance community engagement, physical exercise and will provide a fun environment for families and young people to connect.
Sulby Methodist Church, Isle of Man
Sulby Methodist Church serves a small but active community in the Isle of Man. The church wants to reach out more to serve those in need and provide a space for community groups, but unfortunately the church has no main hall to host activities, and there is also a lack of accessibility.
The church is undergoing a redevelopment project to create an accessible, multi-use area in the main building, by removing pews, levelling the floor space, installing fully accessible toilet facilities, and installing underfloor heating.
£42,000 Methodist funding will support this vital project, which will make the church more accessible, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.
Benefact Trust’s Methodist Grants Programme is funded by donations from Methodist Insurance PLC. Find out more about the grants programme, here.
