Get Support: Wales / Cymru

Welcome/Croeso

We want to support you to keep your church, chapel or meeting house open, well maintained and in use. On this page you’ll find links to resources and training to help you do this.

Os hoffech ddarllen y dudalen we hon yn Gymraeg, cliciwch yma

Get in touch with us

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we have a dedicated support officer, based in Wales, who is on hand to help you with advice and training. You can email Gareth at: Gareth.Simpson@nationalchurchestrust.org

Gareth Simpson, of the National Churches Trust, standing in front of a stone wall — Gareth Simpson

Meet Gareth

“Hello/Shwmae, I’m based in South Wales, with strong connections to Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. A second-language Welsh speaker with good knowledge of the whole of Wales from touring and walking the hills, which is a keen interest. I have 20 years’ experience of community support and development, working with grassroots projects and volunteers. This includes in the faith, countryside, food and drink, childcare and education sectors. I look forward to getting on the road and meeting you in your church, chapel and community.”

How we can help you

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Find out more about our grants

Whether you are looking to repair your roof, install a kitchen or accessible toilets, clear asbestos or simply need help undertaking regular essential maintenance to your building, we offer a range of grants to suit the size and needs of your project. We also have a special Cherish grant – created especially to help Welsh places of worship.

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Maintenance and project advice

From how to develop and manage a church building project, to keeping your church in good condition by regular maintenance, you can find out about the key things you need to do to look after your church building.

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Tourism support

Many churches, chapels and meeting houses were built to be at the heart of their communities; to be busy and used by all. There are many ways to ensure that this is still the case. Discover how to create the perfect welcome, tell your story and more.

What's on

Online: Generating income: Hiring your church or hall, led by Hallmaster UK

Join us from 2pm on Tuesday 20 January 2026. Many churches rent out their church hall or church building for events, community activities and for local businesses to use. This can generate income for facility upkeep or community support. In this helpful, informal session, Hallmaster UK will share their experience of working with churches, chapels and meeting houses across the country. They will share some best practice and introduce the Hallmaster system.

Online: Creating the perfect welcome: welcoming visitors and sharing your stories

Join us from 2pm on Tuesday 27 January 2026 to discover the many ways in which your place of worship can benefit from tourism, from increasing visitors and raising funds to recruiting volunteers and staging events. This is the ideal session for anyone involved with churches and chapels wanting to learn more about church tourism or where to start ... just before the visiting season 2026 kicks off!

Online: This year’s heritage events: opportunities for your church

Join us from 2pm on Tuesday 24 February 2026. This will be a short session to share some of the heritage events your church, chapel or meeting house could be part of this year. By joining established national or regional programmes, churches can tap into an existing audience, benefit from coordinated marketing, and attract visitors who may never have considered stepping inside.

How we're helping places of worship

Two workers stood next scaffolding outside a red brick church

New: Volunteer Mentoring Pilot Scheme

The Volunteer Mentoring Pilot Scheme helps connect people who have a story to share with those in need of support. We're looking for both mentors and mentees. Find out more and sign up today.

Four people in high-vis jackets and hard hats stand by a church

Cherish – church building support – helps more than 250 churches in its first year

Churches, chapels and meeting houses are at serious risk of closure and so it is important to look at creative solutions to keep these buildings open and in use for generations to come. Cherish is helping us to target support at key areas where we are at great risk of losing priceless heritage.

An aerial photograph of Llanfihangel Y Creuddyn St Michael Church — Iestyn Leyshon

How being turned down for a grant helped a church reach new heights

St Michael Church in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn in Wales got turned down for a large grant that would help save their tower. But being rejected ended up being the best thing for the church and the local community. Find out what happened next.

National Lottery Heritage Fund acknowledgement stamp in Welsh

Welcome/Croeso

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