Churches are also cultural and social centres – 66% host music groups, nearly half on at least a weekly basis (43%), inspiring creativity and confidence while bringing people together across generations. Just over three quarters (76%) host community gatherings such as coffee mornings or toddler groups which weave networks of belonging that are especially important in rural or deprived areas where other meeting spaces are scarce.
Churches rarely operate in isolation and in the Survey 53% report their building being used at least once per week by outside organisations, while 21% serve as a regular base for community or charitable groups. This shows that churches impact wider social settings, amplifying connections through partnerships with charities, local authorities, and voluntary organisations.
The Survey finds that 49% of churches host youth groups, with a third meeting at least weekly. In many areas, these represent some of the only structured and safe opportunities available to young people, filling the gaps left by the closure of other youth clubs and community centres in recent years. According to the charity Mind and its 2024 Big Mental Health Report, in England alone 1 in 5 children and young people are now living with a mental health difficulty, an increase from 1 in 9 in 2017. In this context, church-based youth groups are more than social gatherings – they are grounding opportunities for friendships, belonging and wellbeing.
Beyond the immediate benefit, hosting youth groups in heritage settings represents an investment: when children sing in choirs beneath stained glass, or gather in medieval naves for youth nights, they are not just taking part in activities but bonding with local history. These experiences could help ensure that the next generation values, cares for, and champions their church buildings as vital community assets.
