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These web pages (see the sub-headings in the left hand column on this page) provide information and help for people caring for places of worship who are interested in developing the building to make it more comfortable for users, to improve facilities for greater community use, and/or a better welcome for visitors and tourists.
CTfC Tips on resources to look at online
(See also the range of information in Look After Churches pages).
Cumbria Church Buildings Strategic Review
In Cumbria, the Churches Trust for Cumbria is taking a strategic approach to help all of Cumbria's faith buildings prepare for the future. In 2011 we started undertaking a Church Buildings Strategic Review in the Penrith and Windermere deaneries/circuits as a pilot project. This will be rolled out across the county starting in the west in early 2012.
The aims of the review are to ensure that Cumbria's faith buildings have a long-term future as places of worship; are used and enjoyed by a wide range of people; have sufficient people to care for the buildings in the future; and that there are enough funds to enable this to happen. Churches will be invited to participate in the review. The first stage involves a questionnaire to encourage thinking about using and caring for places of worship in a slightly different way and where necessary, to involve others in the care and use of the building. The information received will help us to target support in an effective way.
The outcome of the review will be information which will help with:
1) Creating an action plan for each church and chapel,
2) Deanery and Circuit-wide strategic planning,
3) Providing tailored support to churches and chapels, and
4) In guiding future mapping processes.
Click here for a comprehensive list of resources and support to help you in making your church building sustainable.
The pilot review has provided us with some useful information, for instance we have heard of one church which managed to cut its electricity bill by 40%, and another church which had a congregation of less than 5 and was facing closure, but now has a growing congregation of 40 with lots of children and a choir, thanks to their engagement with the wider community. Learning from these examples and sharing them through the review can help others.
A copy of the questionnaire will be available for download here shortly. In West Cumbria we will be meeting survey representatives from churches and chapels on these dates. Survey representatives only need to attend one of these meetings:
Wed 29 Feb, 7-8pm, Workington St Michael
Thurs 1 March, 7-8pm, Cockermouth Christ Church
Mon 5 March, 7-8pm, St Andrew's Church, Mirehouse, Whitehaven
If you have any queries about the Review, Jemma would be happy to talk to you: 07733 88 6284.
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