See some of the incredible projects to benefit from funding through our Community Impact and Building Improvement grants programmes:

 

 

 

Maryhill Ruchill Church serves an area which is high on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Almost half of working age adults are unemployed or on benefits, leading to 22% of people being considered ‘income deprived’. These statistics paint a bleak picture of the community, but that’s not how the church sees it at all. It uses this information to inform its community action and focuses on all the positive things it sees in the local area; the community spirit, love for others, and sense of humour. 

 

To support young families, who often feel the strain of deprivation the most, the church is currently running a Stay & Play group one morning a week for parents and carers to bring their young children for play, singing, food and peer support. The group has been such a huge success, it’s establishing a Family Hub open all week to anyone who needs it.

 

A £9,900 Community Impact Grant will support the new hub, which will not only function as a welcoming space for children and parents but will provide support services in partnership with other local organisations and NHS services.

 

 

38% of young adults leaving care are not in education, employment, or training. This is something Handcrafted Project wants to change by equipping young care leavers with the skills and training they need to flourish. 

 

The project focuses on giving care leavers essential life skills such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and support with CV writing and employment. Each person has a tailored training programme based on their needs and goals and will get the chance to have hands-on work experience in Handcrafted’s community café as well as local charities and businesses.

 

Currently the project receives more referrals for care leavers than it can support. A £9,500 grant will help to expand this work and give more young people better opportunities. 

 

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Rowheath Pavilion is a community centre with the church at its heart. It was opened 100 years ago by the Cadbury family to provide leisure and recreation facilities for the Cadbury workers and their families, and to this day it continues to serve the Bournville and South-Birmingham community with nine football pitches, a rugby pitch, a running track, a café and a large hall for church ceremonies. The upstairs is also used by a missionary training college and other local businesses.

 

Although Rowheath Pavilion supports a thriving community, it’s now bursting at the seams and the 100-year-old grade II listed building requires significant investment to restore the historic building, and to make it fit for purpose in the 21st century.

 

A £3,500 Building Improvement Grant is supporting the ambitious restoration project.

 

 

Liverpool Parish Church has been a place of worship since the 13th Century and has historic connections to Liverpool’s proud heritage in maritime, shipping, and commerce. Alongside Christian worship, throughout the week the church buildings are used for a range of community projects, and the campus itself consists of the church, church offices, two residential flats and a high-profile city-centre park with several iconic works of art and memorials.

 

As a result of its location, campus, mission and ministry, Liverpool Parish Church has one of the highest carbon footprints in the diocese, much larger in comparison to other urban churches of the same scale. It’s now a shared priority for the church and diocese to manage this footprint and begin a journey to Net Zero Carbon.

 

A £2,300 grant will help to install solar panels on the church’s side roof. After completing this first step, the church will explore other opportunities, which could include becoming a net zero Demonstrator site for other churches looking for inspiration.