Our First Roundtable Event

It's been illuminating to work across a new sector over the past year, meeting committed volunteers and inspiring leaders who talk openly about the heritage crisis impacting our churches. And building on the fantastic work of the National Churches Trust we are now inviting leaders to an exciting roundtable at Patch Places, York on Wednesday 21st January 2026 from 2pm.

1. Purpose of the Roundtable Event

The aim of our roundtables is to convene diverse stakeholders around shared regional challenges and opportunities – we are keen to address the knotty issues and convene like-minded people who are passionate about making a difference.  They are intended to create space for open, informed discussion, bringing together voices from across sectors to share perspectives, test ideas, and identify practical ways forward that support the long-term social, cultural, and economic vitality of the local region. 

Our first roundtable is hosted at Patch Places, whose purpose is to create welcoming, flexible spaces that bring people together, support collaboration, and enable ideas to be shared, developed, and put into action within local communities.

2. Focus of the Session

Historic churches are central to the cultural, architectural, and social fabric of the region. However, many face increasing pressures related to maintenance costs, funding constraints, skills shortages, and changing patterns of use.

This roundtable will bring together some key stakeholders to explore:

• The future role of historic church buildings in local communities
• Funding opportunities, challenges, and emerging priorities
• Innovative approaches to sustainability, reuse, and shared use
• How funders, dioceses, trusts, and communities can work more effectively together

The session is discussion-led. Short framing contributions from panel members will set the context, followed by a facilitated roundtable discussion and audience participation.

3. Panel Members

We are delighted to welcome the following panel members.

• Hazel Curtis — Heritage Lottery Fund
• Sarah Crossland — National Churches Trust
• Kate Cameron  & Keith Halliday, York Diocese
• Andrew Boyce — Donald Insall Architects
• Louise Hampson - University of York

I'll be your purser for the day and we welcome your input and participation during this event to help us forge some new alliances and unpack some of the key issues.