Research Reveals Churches' Billion Pound Support for NHS

                                                                                                                   Wednesday October 16 2024

CHURCHES across the UK provide health related support services worth more than £8 billion according to new research released yesterday (Tuesday).

A report by the National Churches Trust, ‘The House of Good: Health’, published in London, revealed that churches are playing an increasing part in the provision of vital health related services for people in need, including youth groups, food banks, addiction support and mental health counselling.

The report said that the support provided by churches is worth an estimated £8.4 billion each year – the equivalent cost of employing 230,000 National Health Service nurses. The report found that 29 per cent of church buildings provide or host mental health counselling, whilst 10.4 per cent host drug or alcohol addiction services and around 58 per cent provide or host food banks, with more than 40 per cent hosting youth services.

But NCT warned the health dividend was at risk because of the numbers of churches across the UK at risk of closure.

Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “The UK’s 38,500 churches promote the positive mental and physical health that helps people thrive. They provide locations for health treatments. They prevent conditions that would otherwise send more patients through GP or hospital doors.”

She added: “These findings and figures are remarkable. But they’re also alarming. Because the UK’s church buildings are dangerously underfunded, with many in the most deprived areas falling into disrepair and facing closure. Around 3,500 have closed in recent years.

“Without urgent support, we risk losing this shock absorber for the NHS, and a vital safety net for the most vulnerable people in our society.”

NCT has launched a six-point plan ‘Every Church Counts’, calling on all local authorities and public bodies to engage with faith groups and make more use of churches and church halls to host public and community services.

The Madoch Centre in Perthshire was cited as an example of a church facility bringing young people together to improve health and wellbeing. Opened in 20 17, the Madoch Centre is run by St Madoes and  Kinfauns Parish Church . It is open seven days a week for both church and community activities, and runs a range of sports activities for local school children. Anthea Bircham, Community Development Co-ordinator said: “Serving a semi-rural community, we can offer sport and other activities for young people in an inclusive environment which provides good role models to help them build strong relationships with others.”

Welcoming the report, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London, said:

“The report helps to highlight the importance of faith group partnership, which will be vital in reducing health inequalities. Church buildings are important and rich assets in the delivery of this work, which we must look after, and for which we give thanks.”

Will Watt, Allan Little and Jasmine Kazantzis from value and social impact consultancy, State of Life, co-authors of the report produced for the National Churches Trust, explained the economics behind the findings.

“Whilst the £8.4 billion in cost relief is not directly visible to NHS commissioners, the range of healthcare support and services provided in church buildings will in practice reduce what is already and excess demand for health services.

“It is important to stress, that this is a conservative valuation. In reality, churches provide a much wider range of support, from warm spaces and lunch clubs to activities that alleviate loneliness, and a host of musical and cultural activities. All of these can be expected to contribute to health and wellbeing, and thus further relieve costs.”

Further information on the work of the National Churches Trust and the report is available at nationalchurchestrust.org

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