A new report has revealed the extent to which churches in Bristol are engaged in vital social action projects.
The Bristol Thriving Communities report, released by Good Faith Partnership and Christian Action Bristol, analysed 195 churches in the city, finding 427 individual church-led social transformation projects ranging from support for children, mental health and wellbeing provision, to providing community cafes and support to those in food insecurity.
It found that two-thirds of Bristol churches run social action projects, of which 75 per cent provide support for children or community hubs. Many of these are part of the national Warm Welcome Campaign, a network of over 5,200 spaces nationally which are free to enter, warm, and offer a listening ear and signposting to other support.
68 per cent of churches were found to support Bristol-based charities, tackling issues from homelessness and addiction to refugee integration.
Report author, Alisha Cole from the Good Faith Partnership said:
“There is a real sense of networks of Christians working together for the kingdom in this city.
“In Bristol we see churches as well-placed institutions to bring about hyper-local and city-wide social transformation. They make up a unified network of hubs found in every neighbourhood across the city, with direct experience of the contextual needs of the community and trusting relationships with the most vulnerable.
“The report demonstrates that churches are more than just places of worship, but vital contributors to a thriving Bristol, collaborating with key charities, the local authority, and each other.”
She told Premier News that churches have assets which local councils do not: "Churches are going to be around forever - they're not subject to election cycles. So they can build long-term trusting relationships with some of the most vulnerable communities."
The Bristol Thriving Communities Report is also aiming to develop a sustainable infrastructure for the future of church-led social transformation in the city, so that even more needs are met. It’s hoping to develop models of economic redistribution to target areas of greatest need, encourage greater collaboration and overcome human resource constraints to create more opportunities for churches to engage with Bristol City Council to tackle key challenges across the city.