To support the Caring for Places of Worship programme, English Heritage commissioned a number of research projects.
Places of Worship at Risk Survey
Included in the report are the results of research carried out over the last two years, in which the condition and usage of over 2,200 listed places of worship (15% of the total number) were assessed.
This is the largest survey of its kind and has made it possible to put into perspective the problems that some places of worship face.
Places of Worship focus groups
For the first of these research projects we commissioned Living Stones – The Church and Community Trust to run a number of focus groups or consultation events with listed places of worship, which together with questionnaire results from congregations and community users, provided further insight into the experiences of those maintaining listed places of worship and the role they play in local communities.
This information helped inform the Caring for Places of Worship booklet and we will continue to analyse the findings and any implications for how we and our partners support listed places of worship.
For more information please visit the places of worship focus group page.
Running your own consultation event: Toolkit available
Many of the places of worship involved in the focus groups found the experience very useful.
They valued the opportunity to learn from the experiences of other local places of worship, to develop links with local authority officers and to listen to the views of their congregations and local communities.
Together with Living Stones, we have produced an easy to use and adaptable toolkit, which places of worship can use to carry out their own consultation events.
Evaluation of the Repair Grant for Places of Worship and Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme
We wanted to find out more about the impact and value that these two schemes, 'Repair Grants for Places of Worship' jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and English Heritage, and the 'Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme' have for listed places of worship.
Results indicate that these two schemes have played a vital role in improving the historic fabric and halting irreversible decline, in encouraging more effective maintenance, increasing use and supporting local businesses.
Read more about the evaluation for further details.
