Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical is funding a £20,000 prize for local churches that have the best community engagement initiatives.
Ecclesiastical has put up the prize fund in a national competition that aims to find the best projects run by churches that have helped communities, local newspaper
Bath Echo reported.
The company, which specialises in insuring some of the iconic and unique buildings in the UK, is encouraging Anglican churches to join the competition, which is open for entries until the end of August.
According to the report, churches can enter any activity they have organised in the past 12 months. The entries must be meant for supporting, helping or reaching out to local communities.
Ecclesiastical church operations director Michael Angell, said they have been “overwhelmed” by some of the entries submitted so far.
“The activities that churches across the country are undertaking to support people in their local communities and the dedication of the people involved in the projects is humbling and inspirational,” Angell told
Bath Echo.
“So far we’ve seen a whole host of initiatives ranging from food co-operatives and lunch clubs to language classes for vulnerable members of the community and churches running post offices, retail shops and soft play activities on their premises.”
The top prize will be £10,000 while five runners-up will get £2,000 each. Winners will be announced in November.
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