Wall Heath Evangelical Free Church funding success

Wall Heath Evangelical Free Church has been part of the Wall Heath community since 1949 and it has come a long way since it started meeting as a small group in someone’s home. The church works with around 2,000 local people each year. It will soon be based in modern building on Enville Road, Wall Heath.

How we helped

In early March 2021 I received an email from Kay at Wall Heath Evangelical Free Church asking for help with a funding application to the Enovert Community Trust. I supported the church with its application over the next few weeks, reviewing the form and other paperwork. The church submitted the application later that month in time for the imminent grants panel meeting.

The project, “Kitchen installation at Wall Heath Evangelical Free Church”,  was to install a new commercial kitchen within an older part of their building. The new kitchen would service the café, provide refreshments for groups that use/hire the space and also to support church-related activities such as Sunday services etc. The existing kitchen was outdated and needed refurbishment.

The old kitchen in need of refurbishment

The result

Wall Heath Evangelical Free Church was awarded £35,582 from Enovert’s Community Grants in April 2021 and the work has now been completed.

The new kitchen will benefit the wider community. The church can now open a community cafe and set up luncheon clubs for elderly, lonely and vulnerable people. It can host events enabling users to access catering and refreshments. Their own church groups (after Sunday services, Toddler groups, midweek friendship groups and children’s and youth groups), local organisations (such as Slimming World and Rhythm Time) and the general public can hire the kitchen, servery and café space for meetings, events, parties and classes etc.

Kay at Wall Heath Evangelical Free Church said, “Martin was extremely helpful to me in this application, providing insight and valuable knowledge. He advised on wording, what to put in and leave out and was very supportive throughout the whole process. We are thrilled with our new kitchen and servery. It will be of great benefit to both the church and the wider community.”

To book the space

The general public can attend any of church-based functions and will be able to hire the premises for parties etc by using the booking system to hire space within the building or by calling the church (see website for details).

About the funder

Enovert Community Trust supports community/environmental projects that have a big impact on communities such as improving community halls, creating new play areas/skate parks for children, restoring green spaces/habitats and enhancing community sports and recreation facilities. Applicants must be based within 10 miles of an Enovert Management Limited landfill site. In Dudley borough their site is at Kingswinford (postcode DY6 7JS).

Application deadlines for 2022/23 are:

• 19th March
• 25th June
• 9th September
• 9th December

Trustees review applications quarterly. Meeting dates are:

• 26th April
• 5th July
• 18th October
• January 2023.