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More than half of churches in the UK distribute food to people in need. They provide an essential service and make a meaningful difference to people’s lives. But often, the need is great. And getting a project off the ground can take careful coordinating and a lot of work. Inverness Foodstuff – hosted at Ness Bank Church – has grown substantially since launching more than a decade ago. The project has provided tens of thousands of meals in that time and is changing lives in the city. So how has it achieved and sustained this success and managed to offer so much support to its local community?

From food banks and mental health drop-ins to parent and toddler groups and youth clubs, churches across the country provide essential community support. Dalmeny and Queensferry Parish Church on the outskirts of Edinburgh knew that the groups and activities they were hosting in their buildings were making a difference locally. And now, thanks to a new tool from the National Churches Trust, they have been able to calculate the value of this support – and use this information to incredible effect.

Looking after a historic church can be overwhelming at times – especially if it is in poor condition. Where do you start in order to bring the building back to life? St Macartan’s (The Forth Chapel) in Augher, Northern Ireland, commissioned a survey from a conservation accredited architect, which ended up being a catalyst. The need for repairs marked the start of a journey to increasing visitor numbers, regular maintenance being carried out, and an impressive Church of the Year award.

St Giles’ Church in Shipbourne, Kent, hosts a weekly farmers' market that gives the community an opportunity to come together and for local producers to sell their goods. It is a lifeline for the village, which has no shop, and all of the market’s proceeds are split between the church and agricultural charities. Find out how the farmers’ market has developed over time, and what they describe as the keys to their success.

Rural churches, chapels and meeting houses face a very different reality to their urban counterparts. With smaller – and often shrinking – populations around them, welcoming people inside can often be a big challenge. Throwleigh Providence Chapel, on the edge of Dartmoor, was on the brink of closure when the team decided that change was needed. After starting out small, they’ve gone from strength to strength, bringing in thousands of visitors in recent years and developing bonds within the community.

Walkers and walking groups are a common feature of the UK countryside, tracking over rural paths and taking in beauty spots. Many churches are located on these ancient routes and form a key landmark for walkers, both for navigation and by providing a place to rest.

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. 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.