Act quickly to secure funding
People are being encouraged to act quickly to secure cash on offer to help listed churches with urgent repair needs.
The deadline for expressions of interest for the first round of the Places of Worship Renewal fund is THIS SUNDAY – June 14.
The fund is for listed churches with pressing fabric repairs or essential improvements such as electrical upgrades, heating, etc.
Credit: Faye Edwardes
It’s thought there will be a lot of interest in the funding pot focussing on ‘churches with the greatest need’ which provide ‘strong community benefits’.
Ben Wood, Diocese of Truro’s Cut Carbon Officer for Churches, believes it could also present an opportunity for churches to install lower carbon heating.
He said: “This is a real opportunity for listed churches with urgent repair needs or essential improvement projects. The fund supports various works, from fabric repairs and access improvements to electrical upgrades and heating.
“I particularly welcome the opportunity to aid churches to transition to more efficient, lower carbon heating to improve warmth and slash bills, while keeping these buildings safe and open for their communities.
“It will be competitive, so applications will need to be realistic, robust and clearly show community benefit.”
If anyone misses the first round, a second round will open in September this year.
More information about the fund can be found here: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/grants/what-we-fund/places-of-worship-renewal-fund/
