December 2022 |
Welcome to the December edition of Property Matters with If you have any feedback, please email the Property Support Team. |
There is Room |
Since the There is Room short film launched on Saturday 19 November it has touched many people with its message that There is Room for you in God's world no matter who you are or what your circumstances. The film is available to download from our website to use in services. Please do continue to share on your social media channels - it's best to use the version on the Methodist Church YouTube Channel. If you love the message of the film, please consider voting for it in the Smiley Charity Film Awards. Resources A reminder that you can download all our resources for services and events from our main resources page on our website. The theme for the Third Sunday of Advent is 'There is room for All of Nature'. Don't forget that there are resources for schools and chaplains which use the There is Room service themes, an Advent Candle liturgy, a guide on how to make room in your church this Christmas and many other things to help encourage people into Church over this season. |
Grant Opportunity for Warm Spaces |
Further Grant Opportunities for Warm Spaces The funding section of the Respond to the Energy Crisis page has been updated to include some links for local authority grants. Click here to view. As well, funding has been made available from the Connexional Priority Fund to support churches that are unable to access funding locally. Click here to apply. The Warm Welcome project offers resources for churches would like to set up a warm space. A warm space will offer free and friendly space for those who are unable to heat their homes. As well, the Evangelism and Growth team have produced helpful resources, including a videos and advice on how to set up a warm space. Click here to learn more. |
Methodist Insurance Updates |
HSE Update |
Keep safe when working in wintry conditions With low temperatures and less daylight, winter can make surfaces perilous, and slip and trip accidents increase significantly. There are plenty of factors to consider when avoiding these sorts of accidents. Ice and snow, poor lighting, excess water from rain and even gritting can all cause problems. Take a look at our online guide to avoiding slips and trips in winter weather. Helping Support Workers with long-term health conditions and disabled workers HSE has published new principles and guidance to support businesses and help them create an inclusive approach to workplace health. Employers can use the simple principles to create an enabling workplace culture, where disabled workers and workers with long-term health conditions feel valued and thrive. HSE's Talking Toolkit can help structure conversations with workers and potential recruits.
HSE has developed the guidance to help support Health is Everyone’s Business, the government’s commitment to better support the lives of disabled people. Visit our disability website for information and guidance on health and safety for disabled workers. The Accident Book The HSE Accident Book is a valuable document that organisations can use to record accident information. The Accident Book can be used to record details of all work-related accidents, including injuries from accidents at work that employers must report under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). The book contains 50 perforated accident record forms and is designed support users in complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). |
Energy Savings Advice from Historic England |
Old houses are often branded as draughty and energy inefficient. This is not necessarily the case as they were designed to work with their environment. Properly repaired and maintained, they can perform well. Click here to read more. As well, Historic England are offering a free webinar for installing heat pumps in historic buildings. |
Connect - A Space to Share |
It has been 20 years since the last significant improvement works were undertaken at St James Road Methodist Church in Southampton when The Link was constructed, which connected the church sanctuary and church hall. Since that time, the church has witnessed significant growth in numbers, spiritual witness, forms of worship, use of the building and links with the surrounding community. Following a number of vision days, prayer and reflection, it was considered by the local trustees to be the right time to develop the premises further so that the community aspect of the church work could be significantly enhanced with the aim of making the church the Community Hub in the locality. Thus, The Connect project began. |
Methodist Success in Eco Church Awards |
More Methodist churches are signing up to be part of the Eco Church award scheme operated by A Rocha UK. Participation in the Eco Church awards for the 12 months until June 2022 shows an increase of 70 percent for Methodist Churches over the previous year. There are now more than 640 Methodist and LEP churches registered for Eco Church, with four churches having achieved Gold. Click here to read more. |
Managing Easy Access to Listed Buildings |
There is updated technical advice on Managing Easy Access to Listed Buildings is available on the Cadw website. It explains how to plan and improve physical access to listed buildings in Wales. It uses real-life examples, ranging from minor improvement works to high-quality modern design solutions, to show how better access can be achieved. The guidance is intended to help all those who own, manage or occupy listed buildings, including Churches, in Wales. It should also assist those who plan alterations or advise on alternative forms of service provision. It is especially relevant for those listed buildings that offer services to members of the public, such as catering, banking or shopping, or which people visit for leisure, work, worship or education purposes. Click here to read more. |
National Highways Cultural Heritage Funds Programme (England) |
National Highways have designated funds that are separate to their core work of operating, maintaining and improving England's strategic road network. It is ring-fenced funding that is used to invest in and support initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for road users, the environment and communities across England. |
Non Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment - Users for Testing Support |
The Department for British Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) are looking for testing users who meet the following criteria:
If your organisation meets any of the above criteria and would like to help test the proposed support package for non-domestic alternative fuel payment, please contact Jonathan Sweetman and Christina Ehlers. |
Conservation News, Funding and Training |
Did you know about the Conservation News, Training and Funding page on the Methodist website? If not, then we recommend that you take a look. It contains all sorts of useful information and dates for training events as well as links for possible funding opportunities. Click here to view. |
TMCP Updates |
TMCP are pleased to advise that a new telephone system has been implemented. This will enhance the way Managing Trustees and their professional advisers can contact their team. Click here to read more. |
Further Grant Information |
Transforming Churches and Communities offer an update to list of grant providers as well as some fundraising training events. Some featured funders include: |
Listed Building Advisory Committee (LBAC) Meeting Dates:
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Supporting the Methodist Connexion Methodist Insurance has been protecting the property of the Methodist Church since 1872. We are a Public Limited Company owned by shareholders and independent of the Methodist Church. The company operates like a mutual by returning most of our profits back to our community in the form of a significant financial contribution to the Methodist Connexion. Find out more. |
Property Matters is a monthly newsletter focused on giving updates on property related guidance and legalisation as well as providing information and links to related subjects. To view the most current content, please refer to the Property pages on the website. We cannot know about everything that’s going on, so please do email us if you have any feedback or ideas for items to include. |
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