A new toolkit to help our church buildings function efficiently as Warm Spaces and welcome those struggling with heating bills has been launched by the diocese, led by its faith in action team Wellsprings Together.
Across the diocese, our churches are, as always, doing their best to support people in need, many of whom will not have reached out for help before.
At the same time the cost of maintaining and heating our buildings, often large and draughty spaces is rising.
To help with that support Wellsprings Together, in partnership with the Diocesan Church Building Team, have released a free toolkit for churches across the Diocese including a guide to opening as a Warm Space which may be found here
It contains lots of information around signposting and support for individuals struggling with food insecurity, money management, debt and more and a series of practical tips for reducing your church’s energy use this winter.
Theo Sheridan-Watts, Chief Officer at Wellsprings Together said “We are continually inspired by the response of churches wanting to help support their communities at a time when the pressures on them in terms of their own costs are continuing to rise.
“Our hope for this toolkit is that it’s full of practical advice and guidance about how to support those struggling. We’ve tried to make sure the information is as relevant as possible including your local networks. Churches have a unique offer to bring to the table but it’s also so important to work in partnership with other organisations to help manage the load.”
Lisa McIntyre, diocesan Church Buildings Team Leader added:
“We hope that the guidance will provide PCCs with lots of practical tips to help reduce energy use of their church buildings and halls over the winter, some of which include lasting positive changes which will minimise energy use and costs into the future. Changes to the Faculty Rules in July this year made it easier to make lots of small changes to buildings improve energy efficiency, which PCCs can hopefully use to their advantage now.”