Charity news
CHURCH TIMES
Trussell launches new resource to help churches support those in poverty
Food banks in the Trussell community distributed more than 2.6 million emergency food parcels in 2025 – equivalent to one parcel every 12 seconds. Foodbanks have become a vital lifeline for many.
Many churches play their part in trying to ensure those in need have access to food and Trussell, recognising churches contribution, have now produced a resource pack ‘Walking Humbly’ bible studies.
The new pack includes a guide and a series of six Bible studies that focus on themes of poverty. The sessions are an opportunity to explore as a church and a small group how to create communities where people with lived experience of poverty or hardship feel welcome and find belonging.
See more here.
CIVIL SOCIETY
Major Funder launches £3m project to develop charity-led AI tools
The National Lottery have launched a new fund designed to help communities across the UK shape how artificial intelligence develops and impacts on their lives.
The National Lottery Community Fund has warned that the rapid development of AI risks leaving some of the UK’s most marginalised communities behind. The investment will support the development of a new ‘AI Pulse Network’ pilot of 50 community organisations, alongside community-led development of alternative AI tools and models rooted in local needs and lived experience.
The £3m programme, in partnership with UK Community Foundations and CAST (Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology) is expected to see the first grants given in Autumn this year.
See more here.
GOV.UK
GOV.UK
Leaking church roofs to be fixed and heritage buildings revitalised as applications open for £48 million of heritage funding
On 20 May, Historic England launched the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund, having discontinued the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme earlier this year.
Each year for the next four years, £23m will be made available and all listed places of worship, of any denimination in England are eligible as long as the building is an active place of worship.
Deadlines for the first round of funding are tight - expressions of interest must be submitted by 14 June via the Historic England website.
Two other funds make up the rest of the £48m - The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund with up to £15 million; and the Heritage Revival Fund up to £10 million
See more here.