HLF success for St Swithun's

St Swithun's church, Worcester has been awarded a National Lottery grant of £1.6m by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, the funding will help to secure the future of the church. It will enable the splendid Georgian architecture to be repaired and conserved, and transform the building into a cutting edge space for new innovative forms of engagement. Sound and Art @ St Swithun’s (SASS) is an ambitious project to transform the building into an inspirational sensory space, which will creatively use sound and art to engage, enthuse and inspire a greater connection to heritage and history.

Throughout 2017, CCT, in partnership with The Friends of St Swithun’s, have raised over £400,000 towards the project. Together we have worked to develop new partnerships with a range of organisations in Worcester.

Work will start on site in summer 2018 with the site launching in autumn 2019. Throughout the construction phase the CCT will provide craft skill and business development apprenticeships and work experience opportunities to the Heart of Worcester College and Hewell Grant resettlement to work programme. 

Will Scott, Chairman of the Friends of St Swithun’s said,

“The Friends of St Swithun’s [FOSS] are delighted at the award of the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to enable the Sound and Arts at St Swithun’s [SASS] project to go ahead. St Swithun’s is a very special place in the heart of the City of Worcester and now has a secure future as a centre for heritage, arts, music and learning for the benefit of all Worcester’s citizens and visitors.

FOSS are very grateful for this funding and all the support from everyone who has assisted this project over the years”.

Sarah Robinson, Acting Chief Executive and Director of Conservation at CCT said,

“I am delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has supported this project, thanks to National Lottery players. St Swithun’s epitomises Georgian splendour, but the fabric and future of this building have been at risk for some time. This grant, coupled with generous matching donations collected during our annual appeal, will enable us to save St Swithun’s and create a vibrant, sustainable future for the building and the community”.