£250,000 upgrade gives back community centre to Quinton.
Critical work to refurbish St Boniface Church in Birmingham has been completed, ensuring members of the local community can access vital support services to help them cope with the effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
A recent ceiling inspection found asbestos around the roof girders, which needed to be repaired to allow the church’s ongoing use. The repairs provided an opportunity to carry out further refurbishments, including new lighting, ensuring the church will continue to be useful and accessible for the whole community for many years to come.
In addition to providing a place of worship, the church hosts a weekly foodbank, advice surgery, and affordable clubs for vulnerable children. On average, it supports more than 200 children and young people each week, as well as adults struggling with issues including debt and hunger.
Dani Knox, member of the leadership team at St Boniface Church, said: “Demand for St Boniface’s services has increased dramatically as the ongoing coronavirus situation continues to pose great financial and emotional strains on our community. Under the new restrictions, we are still operating our foodbank and providing essential services for young people addressing mental health.
“Our volunteers provide a range of important community support services and the church is a life-line for many people living locally. Due to the current restrictions, we are unable to open fully, but with the roof works now completed we have been able to reopen some of our essential services.”
The £250,000 refurbishment project was made possible thanks, in part, to a grant of £25,000 from Enovert Community Trust. Alongside Enovert Community Trust’s grant, the repairs have been funded by a combination of donors and fundraising events, and the local community has also given generously to support the project.
Enovert Community Trust provided its grant through the Landfill Communities Fund, an innovative tax credit scheme that enables Landfill Operators to contribute money to a wide range of community and environmental projects in the vicinity of landfill sites.
Angela Haymonds, Trust Secretary of Enovert Community Trust, said: “The Trustees were delighted to provide a grant to fund the roof repair project at St Boniface Church. The church is a vital amenity for members of the local community and this project will ensure it is safe and able to continue its important work supporting vulnerable people.”