Development Fund supports five more church projects

Projects which will reach children, families and those who struggle with the cost-of-living are part of the latest round of Development Fund grants. 

St Mark’s Meals in Milton Keynes will receive just over £50,000 to find new premises for the project which feeds hundreds of school children across the city. The fund was established in 2019 to divulge up to £1million a year for the growing needs of communities in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes. The awards announced this month feature a mix of both Tier 1 (up to £2,500) and Tier 2 (over £2,500 or employing staff).

The Revd Paul Oxley, of St Mark’s, said: “This place will enable the office team to work alongside the practical team in the warehouse. School children and college children can come along and volunteer packing boxes, and this space enables us to do this much better. 

“It’s also a space where we can meet others and build our advocacy work. We know the things which keep children in poverty, from now into adulthood – what if we could reverse these trends and attack these issues?”

The grant will bring all elements of the project, which currently operates across several sites in Milton Keynes, into one place and allow them to provide even more meal boxes. The church is now in touch with more than 140 schools, children’s centres and support services which stock the meal boxes to give out to families who need a warm meal.

In this latest round five parishes received funding, taking the total granted since 2019 to more than £4million. For St Michael’s at Begbroke, the grant has bolstered the launch of a new all-age service, Come and See It All Begins with ABC, in the local village hall. 

The Revd Sue Spankie, associate vicar, explained: “We were finding that people were not crossing the road (A44) because it is such a busy road. ABC stands for All together in worship, Breakfast, Craft and songs which is exactly what this service is. 

“We decided to hold the service in the hall and meet the community where they were, building the church there.”

The grant will enable to service to be more sustainable, providing resources for the activities as well as promotional materials.

The full list of awards is: 

• Basildon, Aldworth and Ashampstead – to increase engagement with the toddler group and faith development of children who come to church by enhancing facilities for children across the benefice.
• St Mark’s Milton Keynes – to continue to grow St Mark’s Meals and related advocacy work, feeding thousands more hungry children in Milton Keynes (and beyond), in a move to new premises.
• Blackthorn Chase Benefice – to grow our engagement with children and families by developing a Sunday club for children and families (‘WILD’).
• Begbroke St Michael – to grow engagement with the community by developing a monthly all-age service in Begbroke Village Hall.
• Bicester Emmanuel – to revitalise family engagement and support outreach at Hope Church by employing a Children, Families and School Minister.

The deadline for the next round is January 31, read the criteria for applications.