Churches Together in Cumbria to carried out a Social Action Audit for the Westmorland & Furness region in May 2024. This project was partly funded by the Council and gathered information on activities that support communities and enable them to thrive.
We partnered with the Cinnamon Network Social Action Audit which helped churches to measure the social and economic impact of what they do in their communities. Undertaking this has given us greater knowledge of what is taking place across the region and provide insights on how we can provide further support to our local communities.
The Social Action Audit of 2024, highlighted the remarkable contributions of local faith communities in addressing social challenges across the region. This comprehensive initiative captured the scope, impact, and diversity of social action projects driven by churches and faith groups, emphasising their role in fostering community resilience and well-being.
Key Findings
In Westmorland and Furness we counted 488 activities, 33109 beneficiaries in 2024, 2091 volunteers and over £1,674,788 of financial value being provided by faith groups in the area. As our communities evolve in the wake of COVID-19 and amidst the rising fuel and living costs, it’s encouraging to see groups of committed and faith-driven individuals responding. When we first conducted the Cinnamon Social Action Audit in 2016, we discovered that faith groups across the UK give more than £3 billion worth of time and resources annually to support those most in need through social action activities.
Local churches and other faith groups are involved in a wide range of activities including: working with families, providing debt advice, coaching people back into work, offering emergency food parcels and providing a safe place to belong and build friendships.
Participation and Impact
Over 70% of churches in Cumbria reported active involvement in at least one form of social action. These efforts collectively impacted thousands of residents, building bridges between communities, offering practical support, and fostering inclusivity.
Vision for the Future
The audit underscored the importance of collaboration between faith groups, local authorities, and community organisations. By sharing resources and expertise, Churches Together in Cumbria aims to expand its outreach and create sustainable solutions for pressing social issues, guided by faith-inspired compassion and justice.
You can also download the Churches Together in Cumbria Social Action Audit Results here.
Once you’ve downloaded the report ask yourself these questions.
1. What does this mean for our church?
2. What is great about our community?
3 Where are the gaps?
4. What solutions can we come up with others and partnerships in order to address these challenges.
We will be holding a ONLINE presentation of these results on Tuesday 21st January at 7pm. Please contact Jonny below for the zoom invitation link to be apart of this.
If you’d like Jonny to attend your mission community to present these results in more detail and enquire how your church can form deep partnerships - please contact him
jgios@me.com 07584 052102
