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
Whole Person Health Trust
Aiming to promote whole person healthcare based on Christian foundations, this project is working to expand a chaplaincy offer to Primary Care Networks (PCNs). It is also exploring how to equip PCN staff to understand the value of spiritual health, alongside inspiring the local church to see health as a key area of mission.
Men Changing Lives (MCL)
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.
Project Process
The Accelerate Wellbeing cohort are adopting pilot projects to begin the process of replicating or scaling up their fantastic work.
Men Changing Lives (MCL)
Is building off the success of their community-based support group for men to replicate their model in new locations across South Wales. A major focus will be identifying new leaders and equipping them with their relational ethos and culture.
WAY Beacons
Have seen huge success in Swindon with 79% of repeat attenders not returning to hospital following engagement. They are exploring replication in South West England, working to identify new partner churches to support the project and provide youth workers and mentors.
The Light Project Peterborough (LPP)
Are hoping to further integrate their cross-denominational network with the NHS by accessing population health data and priorities from ICS neighbourhoods to guide the churches in collaboratively best meeting the health needs of the area.
Listening and Guidance (L&G)
Workers exist to support communities who have patients with non-medical needs who are experiencing loss, grief, bereavement, loneliness, or significant life changes through listening and guidance sessions. L&G are exploring replicating their model nearby using the learnings from Dudley to work with church partners in the new locations to adopt ‘set up packs’.
Testimonials about the
Accelerate Wellbeing Programme
Insightful and Practical
Sam Lloyd
WAY Beacons