Last updated 20th October 2017
The Diocesan Parish Vision Fund is available to provide funding to parishes seeking financial assistance for one of the four Vision 2026 priorities:
Applications are particulalry welcome from parishes seeking additional resources that focus on three of the Vision priority contexts (2016-2019):
a) Presence and engagement
the importance of the Church both remaining present in multi religious areas and engaging positively with communities of other faiths. NB Presence and Engagement is different from inter faith dialogue, although complementary to it
b) Outer estates
outreach through words and action in parishes that are in the bottom 40% nationally for multiple deprivation (please ask if you're not sure if your parish meets the criteria)
NB Applications are particularly welcome from parishes to subsidise attendance (both fees and travel) at the Mission Shaped Ministry Course (September 2017-March 2018)
c) Turnaround parishes
outreach through words and action in parishes that have seen decline in numbers and financial strength over the past five years, and are determined to see growth in the number of, and depth in, discipleship
Examples of the type of work that we will fund include activities that support and enable:
Applicants may like to consider the following list of initiative categories that, from research, appear to be resulting in church growth in the Church of England today:
Please note that funding is normally limited to a maximum of three years. If your project is expected to last for more than three years, we would expect you to explain how you will fund the work after our funding ceases. If the project is to end after three years, we would like you to explain how the work will come to an end, and what will happen to anyone employed.
Applications for assistance of less than £2,000 can be submitted at any time and will be considered by the Head of Finance and the relevant Archdeacon.
The deadlines for receipt of applications for assistance in excess of £2,000 are:
Completed application forms, together with supporting documents, should be sent to: Elaine.Hargreaves@Blackburn.Anglican.Org or posted to:
Elaine Hargreaves
Diocesan Offices
Clayton House
Walker Office Park
Blackburn
BB1 2QE