Call for churches in Devon to celebrate their volunteers
Call for churches in Devon to celebrate their volunteers
The National Church Awards are open for nominations. Churches, chapels, meeting houses and cathedrals across the UK are being urged to nominate their wonderful volunteers.
Churches have an amazing story to tell – every day, volunteers at churches, chapels and meeting houses across the UK are doing extraordinary things. They’re caring for historic buildings, welcoming visitors, supporting local communities, and creating spaces where people can connect, belong and thrive. None of this happens without dedicated and passionate local people. The National Church Awards celebrate the people and churches that are making a real difference.
Churches from every denomination and location are encouraged to make a submission. Entering the awards is a brilliant opportunity to recognise the hard work and dedication of the volunteers at your church. By sharing about your church, you are helping to highlight the crucial role that volunteers and churches continue to play in society today – and make it possible to celebrate the wonderful ways that you are supporting local people.
Nominations will close on Tuesday 11 August 2026 at midnight, with judging by an independent expert panel taking place in September. There will be a winner from each UK nation, as well as an overall Church of the Year. Churches can easily nominate themselves for an award by going to: www.nationalchurchestrust.org/awards
Each winner will receive £750 prize money. This has been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Marsh Charitable Trust.
In 2024, Providence Chapel in Throwleigh, Devon, was a winner at the National Church Awards
2024 winner: Providence Chapel in Throwleigh Devon. Providence Chapel, on the edge of Dartmoor, was on the brink of closure when the team decided that change was needed. After starting out small, they’ve gone from strength to strength, bringing in thousands of visitors in recent years and developing bonds within the community. This is all thanks to their wonderful volunteer team. Even St Paul’s Cathedral has been taking tourism advice from this small but brilliant chapel. The judges loved the focus on welcoming people and their ‘talking tables’ project. Read more here: Attracting locals and visitors into a rural place of worship | National Churches Trust
Can another church in Devon win?
Claire Walker, Chief Executive of the National Churches Trust, said: “Churches are the beating hearts of our communities. They contribute £55 billion towards economic and social good each year, bringing people together to help them to thrive. We are excited to host an awards ceremony that showcases their importance, as well as the many other wonderful ways they contribute to society. This is a great opportunity for people across the UK to get behind their local church and share the value their church brings to their community.”