Accelerate Wellbeing
Across the country, there are thousands of churches who are finding new ways to support their communities. From crisis cafes to community art projects, to chaplaincy, we know there are some highly impactful projects that involve close collaboration between the local church and the NHS.
About Accelerate Wellbeing
We developed Accelerate Wellbeing because we want to understand what makes these projects impactful and how we can support more churches to develop similar partnerships with their local health service.
Over a three year period, we plan to work with a group of projects that are already demonstrating the impact of their work for the local community and are interested in exploring whether and how their initiative could be replicated in other communities or scaled across the health system. Over the three years we will provide research, workshops, and support to connect projects with partners.
We look forward to sharing our journey with the cohort over the next three years and will publish our impact report and findings in late 2026.
Our Cohort
GraceWay Hub
A Christian charity working with local churches in Strood to provide wellbeing services, including mental health courses and Christian counselling. The project aims to expand its network and services.
Norton Healing Hub
Hosted by St Mary’s and St Michael’s Churches in Stockton, this hub offers support to tackle isolation and poverty, with services like financial advice and food provision. It seeks to grow partnerships and services.
Men Changing Lives
Based in Cardiff, MCL helps men through weekly drop-in sessions offering support for financial, housing, and addiction issues. It aims to build stronger partnerships with the NHS and local organizations.
Listening and Guidance - Social Prescribing Link Workers
Operating in Dudley, volunteers offer confidential listening support to individuals referred by GPs. This service reduces GP workload and improves wellbeing, with plans to expand to more areas.
The Light Project Peterborough
Connecting Christian leaders across Peterborough to enhance social impact, The Light Project fosters collaboration with the NHS, police, and local authorities to serve the community.
WAY Beacons
Originally founded by Gateway Church, WAY Beacons helps young people break cycles of hospital readmission through peer support and community engagement. It seeks new church partnerships for lasting change.
Our cohort will be supported by the ChurchWorks team but also an Advisory Group of experienced health professionals currently working in different parts of the health system. This group will be key to helping us mentor the cohort and design appropriate partnerships between churches and the health system, and linking the new partnerships up with the right people.