Community resources for Christian projects
 Enter a photographic competition, dispose of your unwanted paint, apply for funding to improve access for your church building... these are just some of the ideas and resources highlighted in the Community Mission newsletter.
FUNDING
Churches and community projects looking to increase access and allow more people to use their buildings can apply to the National Churches Trust for between £5,000 and £25,000 under their Community Grants Programme. The Trust is particularly interested in providing funding for new toilets and catering facilities but these may form part of a larger renovation project. The total project budget must be at least £25,000. All churches recognised by Churches Together in Britain may apply. The next deadline is 1 September. Read the guidelines, case studies of funded projects or complete an initial grant enquiry form. If the Trust is interested in the application, you will be asked to complete a longer form. For more information, email National Churches Trust.
Nominet Trust provides funding to community projects in order to increase web access, web safety and how the web can be used to address social problems. Projects that use tools and good practice that can be replicated are given priority. Funding is for special IT projects, not for core costs or purchasing of equipment. There is no maximum funding amount and the next deadline is 14 September. To apply, an eligibility form is completed and then successful applicants will be contacted. For more information, phone 01865 334 000 or email Nominet Trust.
Cable and Wireless, the global telecommunications company, has recently launched a Foundation to provide funding to charities in the UK to improve the lives of those with special needs, including those with physical, mental, behavioural and/or learning disabilities. There should be a possibility for staff of Cable and Wireless to volunteer or help in the project as well as for the project to receive specialised communications advice and help. There is no maximum funding amount and the deadline is 1 August. For more information, email Tracy O’Brien.
The Rayne Foundation’s social welfare and development grant provides funding to charities and community groups that improve the quality of life for older people or develop the numeracy skills of any age group. Applications that benefit other disadvantaged groups are welcomed, though the above will be prioritised. Funding can be used for core costs, salaries and capital costs of building projects. The average grant awarded last year was £14,000. For more information, phone 020 7487 9656.
Community projects looking to increase their income from trust funds can purchase a copy of The Guide to New Trusts. Published by The Directory of Social Change, it features 100 newly formed trusts that were registered with the Charity Commission in 2010 and early 2011. The directory costs £24.95 and lists funding areas and exclusions as well as application details. Phone 08450 777 707 for more information.
TRAINING AND EVENTS
Livability is running a new event to help Christian projects that have lost funding or are suffering major financial constraints. Thriving – not just surviving: Christian community projects in a time of cuts will be held on 21 September at St Clement’s Bradford and on 9 November in London. This day will help you evaluate what aspects of the work are essential, rediscover your vision, and make the most of all your assets. A successful small-budget community project will be used as a case study. Book online for Bradford (£20 per person) or London (£30 per person). For more information, phone 020 7452 2018 or email Jill Clark.
Many communities with a parish nurse have found that it is a powerful way of connecting church and community, health and faith. For those interested in exploring this initiative further, Parish Nursing Ministries UK are offering training for nurses wanting to become parish nurses at the International Mission Centre in Birmingham from 17-20 October. They are also running a national symposium More precious than gold to encourage, re-envision and refresh all those involved with parish nursing, from 20-21 November at Hothorpe Hall.
Personal budget coaches are a great starting point for churches or community projects who want to begin engaging with money issues in their community. Credit Action offers a one-day course designed to give anyone the basic skills to help people get on top of their finances. Personal budget coach training will take place this autumn in Birmingham on 1 October, London on 8 October and Manchester on 22 October. The cost is £50 per person. Book online or contact Lindsey Monteiro for more information.
STORIES AND RESOURCES
Faith Through a Lens: If you are feeling photographically inspired, why not get snapping, or encourage others, to enter this competition. The five competition categories: a moment of faith, a community hero, places of faith, community spirit and a new faith, should give plenty of scope.
If you are keen to decorate somewhere but have no funds or have leftover emulsion cluttering up your cupboards, Community RePaint may be able to help. It collects unwanted, surplus paint and redistributes it to individuals, families and communities who need it. If you need paint for a redecoration or art project, use the postcode locator to find your nearest scheme. Those with paint to donate can start here. If you are looking for a new community initiative, you could consider becoming a collection point and setting up a Community Repaint scheme yourself.
Linda Harris is a parish nurse in Wales who is passionate about the impact her role - providing whole-person healthcare through the local church - has had on her church as well as her patients. Read her story Caring for the body AND the soul on the Community Mission website.
Churches who are considering setting up a winter shelter will find everything they need to know in Housing Justice’s free Shelter in a Pack. It provides a ‘how to’ guide and best practice document which covers all the issues and practicalities involved. To see how one recent shelter operated watch a video from GrowTH - the Tower Hamlets joint churches’ shelter
The Urban Forum Guide to Community Resilience is a resource listing a range of different ways for communities to maximise their assets and build strong healthy communities that engender pride. Written by experts and published by Urban Forum for an introductory price of £7.95, the guide includes sections on initiatives such as timebanking, local food schemes, asset mapping, credit unions, local enterprise, social ventures, social impact bonds, charitable bonds and community shares, among many others.
 Community Mission is a partnership between Tearfund and Livability. Click here to sign up to future editions of their e-newsletter.
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