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Reading is really beneficial, but a wide range of social and monetary factors prevent many from enjoying the benefits. However, there is something that your church can do to help. Mildmay St Jude & St Paul’s Church, in North London, created a Book Bank to run alongside its food bank. Now, people can access a wide range of books for free, which has led to more people in the area able to enjoy reading and talking about books, which has also created a strong sense of community within the church building. Find out how the book bank was established and how the church has embraced it. Plus, get advice for how you can set up your own book bank.

Churches are often physical archives of local history, preserving the memory of significant figures and events through stained glass, memorial plaques, and of course gravestones. Challoch All Saints, a remote building in Dumfries and Galloway, is one such church. However, a radical graveyard clean-up project has helped the church to create accurate records and make new discoveries.

Starring as a filming location can be really exciting for your church. From the immediate income to the longer-term tourism draw, there are many advantages to be had. Any church could benefit from this but knowing where to start is hard. Find out how you can get involved and how to make the most of the opportunity from independent Film Location Management Consultant Henry Neild and Tricia Davis, from Bolton Percy All Saints parish church.

Historic Scottish Churches is the latest offering in Denis Dunstone’s series of superb books, which make use of charming watercolours to tell the stories of medieval churches. Featuring a foreword by National Churches Trust Vice President Lord Wallace of Tankerness, Historic Scottish Churches gives readers an illustrated insight into some of Scotland’s most significant medieval buildings.

Sometimes, through no fault of the congregation or leaders, disaster strikes at a church. It can be devastating for all who care for the building and in the wake of major setbacks, finding hope can be tough. But the right approach can help a church community to make a full recovery.

The UK’s historic churches are beautiful additions to so many cities, towns and villages. Every year, the changing seasons paint them in new light, and winter is no exception. After freezing temperatures hit the UK in early January, we asked you to submit your best photos of churches in the snow, to help us celebrate these brilliant buildings. Here are the winners, who will each receive a bundle of books as their prize.

Have you ever seen a shadowy, flittering figure whizz past you as you walk through the churchyard at dusk? Or perhaps you’ve discovered dry, glittery droppings but never found out who left these behind? Find out more from the Bat Conservation Trust.

Many church buildings are venues for youth clubs and other activities that bring young people together for social activities and sport. Often these help improve mental health as well as physical health and can particularly help those from underserved communities, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive.

Content warning: this blog discusses suicidal feelings Every Parish Nurse is a registered nurse and is there to provide an additional layer of holistic support for individuals and communities. They are employed through a local church or Christian organisation, offering health education, advice and spiritual care to people of all faiths or none.

Malnutrition is estimated to cost the NHS in England £19.6 billion per year, and the cost of treating a malnourished patient is two to three times more than a non-malnourished patient. Food banks are one way that people experiencing food insecurity can be helped.

With the UK Government making it clear that public finances are extremely tight, there are growing fears that the Treasury may be tempted not to renew The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, possibly as part of the Autumn Budget. This would be a devastating blow for churches, many of which are already struggling with the high cost of keeping their buildings open and in good repair.

St Illtyd’s Church in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, desperately needed to remove failing asbestos tiles from their roof and make their building watertight again. They then found an ingenious way to do it – one that got local schoolchildren very excited.