Bristol Churches Quietly Served 40,773 People Last Year and Nobody Noticed

Bristol Diocese Churches Served Over 40,000 People Through Social Action in 2025

Churches across the Diocese of Bristol supported 40,773 people through 418 social action projects over the past year, according to a newly published audit conducted in collaboration with the Cinnamon Network.

The 2025 Social Action Audit surveyed 108 churches across the diocese, representing 64% of all parishes. Of those, 97 were recorded as providing at least one community facing project.

A total of 1,634 volunteers contributed 121,660 hours of service across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Wiltshire, and Swindon. Projects ranged from shared meals, toddler groups, and youth mentoring to foodbanks, community cafes, and crisis support.

Diocesan Secretary Richard Leaman stated:

The findings reflect what many of us already knew: that our parishes are right at the heart of their neighbourhoods, offering places of welcome, comfort, and hope. Day by day, churches are serving people of all ages and backgrounds, responding to need with compassion, creativity and deep commitment.

Among the highlighted projects, B&A Meals prepares approximately 1,000 hot meals weekly for 20 churches and Christian organisations across Bristol. Shine Pinehurst, a Fresh Expression of church in Swindon, runs youth led initiatives including The Wonky Pizza Co., building confidence and safe spaces for young people.

St Barnabas, Knowle West operates the BS4 Foodbank and weekly toddler group, which have become trusted hubs for families seeking practical help and connection.

Acting Bishop of Bristol and Bishop of Swindon, the Rt Rev Neil Warwick, said:

Parishes and their people in the Diocese of Bristol serve as beacons of hope and light in their local communities. Each church, volunteer, activity and hour shared reflects a commitment to service and care for others.

How Bristol Churches Are Transforming Communities Through Faith Based Action

Partnership was described as a defining strength of the diocese's community work. Fifty nine parishes are already collaborating with schools, charities, community groups, or statutory agencies, with an additional 18 expressing desire to develop new partnerships.

However, the audit highlighted significant pressures facing churches. Eighty three active churches reported funding shortfalls, while 52 said they were struggling with a lack of volunteers. Additionally, 45 churches indicated that building improvements, including better heating, improved accessibility, and upgraded kitchen facilities, are necessary to sustain or expand their work.

Leaders say addressing these constraints forms part of the Diocese's Transforming Church Together strategy, which seeks to reimagine how churches collaborate with communities for sustainable transformation.

Celebration events to mark the findings will be held on February 26 at St Paul's Church, Southville, Bristol, and on March 10 at Swindon Academy, Pinehurst, both from 7 to 9pm.

The Crusader's Opinion

This is what the Church looks like when it stops talking and starts doing. Over 40,000 people fed, clothed, counselled, and cared for by 1,634 volunteers who gave more than 121,000 hours of their lives to serve their neighbours. No government programme, no secular NGO, no bureaucratic committee could replicate what these Bristol parishes accomplished through sheer love and faith.

And yet 83 churches are struggling with funding. The Church of England sits on billions in assets while parishes on the front lines scrape together pennies to keep the lights on and the food coming. This is the body of Christ at work, and it deserves every ounce of support we can give it.

Take Action

• Donate to or volunteer with your local church foodbank. Find one near you through the Trussell Trust
• Support the Diocese of Bristol's community work directly at bristol.anglican.org
• Give to The Shepherd's Shield to support persecuted and under resourced Christians worldwide
• Contact your local MP and ask what they are doing to support faith based community action. Find your MP at parliament.uk
• Share this story with your church leadership and ask: what social action projects could we start or support in our community?