Portfolio
We are working with a number of denominations including URC, Church of England, Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, and Free Churches. The range and diversity of the projects demonstrates the breadth of opportunity we are encountering.
Example projects include:
The transformation of two redundant Grade II Listed churches in the North East of England: one into a lifeboat museum and community hub and the other into affordable artists' studios. Both of these will be managed by outstanding local social enterprise partners.
Working across four denominations with eight church sites in the South West, to develop a social enterprise model for delivering health, outreach and community services alongside working towards a potential £20m redevelopment of the sites and buildings.
The renovation of a Grade II Listed church in southwest London. Although there is no longer an active congregation, the church has for a number of years flourished under the supervision of local community activists that allows the premises to be used by a diverse range of community and voluntary groups at affordable rates. Funds have been raised for the upgrading of this building that will secure its long-term future and allow the URC to retain a footprint in the area.
An East Midlands church in a difficult ex-mining community. We have worked to support the church in opening the building to community groups working in the area and the secondary school right next to the church.
We have managed to raise £200,000 for repairs to the fabric of the buildings, and introduced the local school and community groups to use the space. The situation is now stabilised and an important part of the local community infrastructure retained.
In the East Midlands One church, 100 uses worked with a local entrepreneur trying to develop a free school and developed an approach to make use of the under-utilised rooms. These were originally school rooms, so we would be returning them to their true purpose. Unfortunately, we were unable to progress, but it was a good concept and we would be interested to hear from anyone looking to set up a free school in church space.
Ecumenical Partnership – Berkshire
In an ecumenical church in Berkshire, we developed a partnership with the local authority and local Registered Social Landlord (RSL) to work up a plan for a regenerated square, a new community facility with a new library, café, community facilities and church. We produced a costed prospectus using the housing development and raised £300,000 Section 106 funds for the newly integrated church and community facility.