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ChurchWorks

Commission

Bringing together churches and the Government to support the vulnerable in our communities
Our WorkContact
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Missed the ChurchWorks for Wellbeing Conference?

Or attended but want a refresher?
Visit our Event Mini Site. Access our event site here. Free access for conference attendees- you will have received an email with the login password. Or Click here to access the site for £5. After paying you will be sent an email with the login password. 

Have a read of our blog about the day here and see The Church Times’ coverage here.
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Our mission

The ChurchWorks Commission brings together 15 major UK Christian denominations to unite and promote action on urgent social issues in our local communities, with a particular focus on supporting the most vulnerable. We help churches and Christian organisations to collaborate with each other and the Government to catalyse partnership working around our key priorities: Wellbeing & Mental Health, Vulnerable Children and Families, The Cost of Living.
Meet the commissioners
Bishop Paul Butler
Independent Chair
Fr. Stephen Platt
British Orthodox Church
Dr. Shola Adeaga
Redeemed Christian Church of God
Paul Weston
Pioneer
Major Lisa Lloyd-Jones
The Salvation Army
Bishop Derek Webley
New Testament Church of God
Commissioner Anthony Cotterill
The Salvation Army
Jude Levermore
Methodist Church in Britain
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We have had the privilege of partnering with some world class organisations.
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2021

Our Story

The ChurchWorks Commission was launched in October 2021 to bring together senior leaders from 15 denominations across the UK to explore the Church’s role in national Covid recovery. It was the natural next step for YourNeighbour.org which united churches to support their communities through the Covid-19 pandemic. Working Groups with Christian leaders and charity experts on our priority themes were set up to identify what people were already doing and to explore the Church’s unique role and contribution to national Covid recovery.
13TH OCTOBER 2021

First Meeting

During the Commissioner’s first ever meeting, Commissioners identified some key priorities for us to work on: wellbeing, support for vulnerable families, and social isolation. The Commission agreed that our work should be targeted towards those most affected by the pandemic: young people, people of colour and disadvantaged communities.
11TH JANUARY 2022

Inaugural Summit

During the first ChurchWorks Summit, the commissioners were joined by Kemi Badenoch, the Minister for Faith. Ms Badenoch praised the work of faith leaders through the Covid pandemic and their efforts to engage in Covid recovery
8TH JUNE 2022

Cost-of-living

Later on that year, it became clear that we needed to also work together to support people through the cost-of-living crisis, and especially looking ahead to the winter months, as a major concern for many of the communities already stretched by the pandemic.
AUGUST 2022

WarmWelcome.uk

In August 2022, following a meeting with church and community leaders on how to coordinate a response to the cost-of-living crisis this winter, the Warm Welcome Campaign was set up. Now led by a wide range of partners from community organisations, libraries, churches, businesses and other faith groups, the campaign has created a network of over 1,500+ registered free, warm, welcoming, and safe spaces for people to go to who can’t afford to heat their homes.
16NOVEMBER 2022

ChurchWorks Summit

The November Summit was ChurchWorks first in person event. Over 100 church leaders, commissioners, government leaders and member charities gathered in Westminster Central Hall to discuss how collaboration can take place across the three different ChurchWorks priority areas. The day opened with an address from Baroness Scott, Faith Minister, which was followed by updates, reflections and discussions from member charities and commissioners. Finally, a cross-party discussion with Stephen Timms MP, Tim Farron MP, Danny Kruger MP and Lord Wei on the value of the church in public life was facilitated by commissioner, Alicia Edmund.
APRIL 2023

Impact Evaluation for Warm Welcome

Warm Welcome released an Impact Evaluation Report for winter 2022-23. This report was the first to be released on warm spaces in the UK and showed that the 7000 Warm Welcome spaces received just over 2.4 million visits through the winter. The evaluation indicated that Warm Welcome spaces had a marked difference on individuals’ financial health and also their sense of loneliness and isolation.
18TH MAY 2023

ChurchWorks for Wellbeing

In partnership with Waverley Abbey, ChurchWorks hosted 250 church leaders in Westminster Chapel to explore how we can respond to the mental health crisis. Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, Audacious Wellbeing, Waverley Abbey College and individuals involved in social prescribing shared practical insight and resources for church leaders to take steps to support the wellbeing of their communities.

Future

These key areas form the basis of our existing projects and their aims, and direct new initiatives moving forward.

How we work

Convene

We convene our Commissioners from the 15 major UK church denominations to work together in ecumenical collaboration on the issues facing the most disadvantaged in our nation post-Covid.

Meet our commissioners
1

Collaborate

Our Commissioners identify key priorities for Covid recovery and work together with churches, charities and the government to tackle these issues through research, campaigns and building new relationships and delivery partnerships.

Want to know more?
2

Showcase

We highlight and showcase what is possible when churches, charities, local and central Government communicate well and work together to create innovative solutions and relationships to serve the vulnerable and transform local communities.

Check out our latest case studies
3

Annual Summit

Our annual Summit brings together Commissioners, member organisations and Government, health and local authorities to discuss collaboration and strategy around our key target areas.
Find out more about last year’s Summit

Commissioner Meetings

In addition to the summit, our Commissions meet four times a year to discuss project updates.
Find out more about Commission Meetings

Conferences and Webinars

We partner with leading experts and organisations to run conferences and webinars to equip churches to engage with our key priorities. Visit our news page to find out about our latest events.
More about our latest events
Testimonial Image

“Working with ChurchWorks has been a great opportunity to collaborate across denominations and organisations. We've been part of projects that would not be possible without this network of partners. In particular, we've valued playing a role in the Warm Welcome Campaign and sharing our expertise with spaces across the country”

Testimonial of

Dan Lane

Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
Christians Against Poverty
Testimonial Image

We know this is going to be a tough winter for many, with our youngest children most at risk. Having places for families to go that are local, warm and welcoming will make a big difference. The Warm Welcome initiative is a simple and effective way of connecting people and places so no one needs to struggle alone.

Testimonial of
Warm Welcome

Dr Eli Gardner

Kids Matter
Kids Matter
Testimonial Image

At Libraries Connected we know that public libraries are determined to help people during the difficult months ahead. We’re proud to be a partner of the Warm Welcome Network, which is playing such a vital role by bringing together all the community organisations that have stepped up to offer a warm space and friendly face this winter.

Testimonial of
Warm Welcome

Isobel Hunter MBE

Libraries Connected
Libraries Connected
Testimonial Image

As a charity focusing on addressing loneliness and social isolation across the UK, we are acutely aware of the prospect of a combination of factors affecting the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of many people this winter. Concern about bills, heating and food are already leading to increased levels of anxiety and this – in turn – leads to increased feelings of loneliness. This is why we are partnering with Warm Welcome to provide training for volunteers in their key roles and to promote this crucial initiative.

Testimonial of
Warm Welcome

Jeremy Sharpe

Linking Lives
Linking Lives
In May church leaders and experts in the mental health field met to talk about how the church can be better equipped to handle the mental health crisis. We have made these talks and resources available for just £5 for unlimited access on our microsite. https://tinyurl.com/fdy8md26
30
Jun 2023
@ChurchWorks_uk
We are excited to launch our microsite with access to the recordings & resources from the ChurchWorks for Wellbeing Conference. Hear from @bishopSarahM, @Waverleynews, @PatrickReganKH and more Tickets ➡️ https://tinyurl.com/fdy8md26 £5 for unlimited access
22
Jun 2023
@ChurchWorks_uk
RT by @ChurchWorks_uk: 75 local authorities were selected to receive Family Hubs funding. How can faith centres support/complement these new Hubs? Would you be interested in being linked into the implementation of the Hubs where you are? Share your views: info@faithaction.net https://ow.ly/lOiY50OQyPH
19
Jun 2023
@ChurchWorks_uk