Earlier this year, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme (LPWGS), which gives funding towards the VAT on repairs, will continue for another 12 months until the end of March 2026. However, there is a limit of
£25,000 that can be claimed. Click here to read their full statement.  We will continue to contribute to efforts to have the scheme extended.
 

Heritage Open Days (HODs), England’s largest festival of history and culture which takes place every September, has announced that their theme for 2025 will be Architecture. The theme will explore how buildings have shaped the world around us, encouraging communities to celebrate their built heritage. This is a fantastic opportunity for your church to reach new audiences and boost secondary spend! Many take part, not only so that people can visit their building, but to exhibit the amazing work that they do and increase their reach beyond those that already know about them. Activities can be as simple as a member or volunteer run open day, to talks or larger occasions that link up with other historic buildings in your area. Click here to find out more.

If you would like to chat through your ideas or need some help registering, then please do contact our Historic Buildings Support Officer. 
 

The National Churches Trust are currently hosting a variety of one-hour online training sessions, aimed at church volunteers and staff. They cover a wide range of topics, including project management, grants and fundraising, and the importance of building maintenance, and will run until November.  Click here to join in.
 

Historic England has launched a new wellbeing strategy to highlight the positive impact of heritage on individuals and communities. The strategy emphasises the role of historic sites in improving mental and physical health, fostering a sense of identity, and supporting social cohesion. 

Click here to read more about this.
 

Got any questions about maintenance and repair, grants and fundraising, authorisation for works, or anything else to do with caring for a heritage asset? Then book an online session with our Historic Buildings Support Officer!

 

health check