St Fillan’s, Buckstone has successfully unlocked National Lottery Community Funding to make their building warmer and more accessible for worship, and as a community space. Rev Michael Johns-Perring reports that the experience with receiving grant funding was very straightforward, with the entire process only taking two months. After the initial application was lodged, a phone-call was received from the National Lottery soon-after to discuss in further detail. The process moved smoothly from start to finish.
Churches are eligible to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Fund so long as they provide benefit to the wider community. St Fillan’s church building doubles up as their hall, where they host a number of community groups throughout the week, including St Fillan’s Playgroup, OSCARS After School Club, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, Brownies and Guides, Country Dancing, Dance Fit and the Community Choir. Funders are particularly keen to support initiatives addressing the cost-of-living crisis, and this is central to St Fillan’s role as a community resource. During their application, St Fillan’s described how keeping their running costs low would benefit the wider community by avoiding increases in rental charges for the building.
An application for £10,000 was granted, which provided funding for cavity wall insulation, loft installation and installing a stair-guard. Bike racks were added to promote active travel among congregants and visitors. The cavity wall insulation was installed in just two days and had an immediate impact in making the space feel more snug. A redecoration of the church building was also completed as part of this grant funding, at a cost of £5,000. This has included repainting the walls, bannisters and door as well as further maintenance. The existing colour scheme of the door and walls has been changed from purple, to light-green – reflective of St Fillan’s environmental ambitions.
Rev Johns-Perring views the role that a charge can play in protecting the local community and environment somewhat similarly to the social duty we all held during the pandemic. If each individual and group works together to protect their neighbour (in the pandemic, keeping the r number down; with the climate crisis, keeping carbon emissions down), we can achieve large-scale goals.
For more information on funding opportunities or for inspiration on how your church could engage with the local community, check out our Funding page and Resources page.
Jack Nevin, Innovation Coordinator
