Window Replacement, St Mark’s Church, Thornaby, Teesside

This is a project to replace the single-gazed windows at St Mark’s Church in Thornaby. The project will warm up, prevent water leaks and help reduce the carbon footprint of this popular church in a high disadvantaged area (ranked 1189 out of 12239 nationally). The church began building a community outreach programme following a previous LCF money donation from Impetus Environmental Trust for a new kitchen and flooring two years ago (£20,635). The committee wish to offer a warm space to combat loneliness and help those struggling with heating bills. Future aims are to develop a dementia café and to become a Dementia friendly church. Three local primary schools and a special educational needs school use the building to enhance their understanding of Religious Education as well as being used for concerts, Sunday services, supper clubs, Sunday school, mother & toddler groups and Messy Church group.

Environmental considerations: The new windows are constructed from aluminium and glass, both of which can be recycled at end of life and are guaranteed for next 50 years. They will reduce the environmental footprint of the building by improving its energy efficiency. The improved heat efficiency will enable the church to keep the building open for longer periods of time to more it more accessible to the local community. This project is part of a larger ‘green’ plan as part of the Church of England’s ambition to achieve Carbon New Zero by 2030.

Hard to reach considerations: Whilst the church needs to complete this glazing project before it can create a warm space to welcome members of the community, it is excited to be building partnerships in the local community. It already enjoys good relationships with the local food bank, Council services, as well as the local library service, schools and doctors surgeries. It hopes to be able to deliver events through social prescribing. It has the facilities to reach out to the local community with leaflet drops, posters and advertising to reach those who are not on social media.