Our blog

Read our latest blogs and stories of churches we have helped and the people who help look after churches to keep them open, in good repair and being used for the benefit of local communities.

A scene is shot inside a church
Lawrence OP CC-BY-NC-ND2.0

How to make the most of filming in your church

Starring as a filming location can be really exciting for your church. From the immediate income to the longer-term tourism draw, there are many advantages to be had. Any church could benefit from this but knowing where to start is hard. Find out how you can get involved and how to make the most of the opportunity from independent Film Location Management Consultant Henry Neild and Tricia Davis, from Bolton Percy All Saints parish church.

A grey church behind a graveyard
Denis Dunstone

Discover Scotland’s medieval churches through vivid watercolour

Historic Scottish Churches is the latest offering in Denis Dunstone’s series of superb books, which make use of charming watercolours to tell the stories of medieval churches. Featuring a foreword by National Churches Trust Vice President Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Historic Scottish Churches gives readers an illustrated insight into some of Scotland’s most significant medieval buildings.

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AcanthusClews

How to bounce back when disaster strikes at your church

Sometimes, through no fault of the congregation or leaders, disaster strikes at a church. It can be devastating for all who care for the building and in the wake of major setbacks, finding hope can be tough. But the right approach can help a church community to make a full recovery.

Kidderminster St George Church in Worcestershire
Laura Spiteri

Photography competition: your pictures of churches in the snow

The UK’s historic churches are beautiful additions to so many cities, towns and villages. Every year, the changing seasons paint them in new light, and winter is no exception. After freezing temperatures hit the UK in early January, we asked you to submit your best photos of churches in the snow, to help us celebrate these brilliant buildings. Here are the winners, who will each receive a bundle of books as their prize.

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TomParnell

Dispelling the myths: Bats in churches

Have you ever seen a shadowy, flittering figure whizz past you as you walk through the churchyard at dusk? Or perhaps you’ve discovered dry, glittery droppings but never found out who left these behind? Find out more from the Bat Conservation Trust.

A box of food being held by a pair of anonymous hands
LFT Charitable Trust

Food banks: providing urgent support for vulnerable people

Malnutrition is estimated to cost the NHS in England £19.6 billion per year, and the cost of treating a malnourished patient is two to three times more than a non-malnourished patient. Food banks are one way that people experiencing food insecurity can be helped.

Three children play football
Marko Milivojevic

Youth groups: keeping young people connected and healthy

Many church buildings are venues for youth clubs and other activities that bring young people together for social activities and sport. Often these help improve mental health as well as physical health and can particularly help those from underserved communities, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.

A brick church pictured from the far side of a road
Mark Anderson CC-BY-SA2.0

Mental health counselling: the power of parish nurses

Content warning: this blog discusses suicidal feelings Every Parish Nurse is a registered nurse and is there to provide an additional layer of holistic support for individuals and communities. They are employed through a local church or Christian organisation, offering health education, advice and spiritual care to people of all faiths or none.

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BrianWoodruffe

UK Government must renew vital support for listed churches

With the UK Government making it clear that public finances are extremely tight, there are growing fears that the Treasury may be tempted not to renew The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, possibly as part of the Autumn Budget. This would be a devastating blow for churches, many of which are already struggling with the high cost of keeping their buildings open and in good repair.

A group of people sitting down at tables and looking at a screen
Natasha Hirst

How to host a National Church Awards livestream party

We’d love as many people as possible to celebrate the National Church Awards, so we’ll be livestreaming the event. Here’s our guide on setting up a livestream party, so that you can enjoy the day with us.

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LauraMcIlveen

Northern Ireland church awarded UNESCO World Heritage status – should more churches follow suit?

A church in Northern Ireland has been designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This makes it the 34th UNESCO World Heritage Site in the UK and the second in Northern Ireland. This is a good news story for tourism in Northern Ireland. But should other UK churches follow this example to help attract even more visitors to these important buildings?