National Churches Trust

Whether for worship, quiet reflection, access to critical services or space to explore, churches are a priceless part of the UK’s heritage and of its social fabric. The National Churches Trust’s vision is that church buildings across the UK are well maintained, open to everyone, sustainable and valued.

The brief

We produced a 3-minute film for The National Churches Trust demonstrating how recent changes to the Listed Places of Worship VAT Grants Scheme threaten historic church buildings. The scheme has been reduced to a one-year renewal with a £25,000 cap on VAT reclaims, impacting essential repair projects. Filmed at two churches - St. Lawrence in Chorley, Lancashire, and St. Grada and Holy Cross in Cornwall - we showcased their vital community services and the financial challenges they face. The film aimed to mobilise policymakers and the public to support restoring full VAT relief, emphasising that churches serve as essential community hubs beyond religious worship.

The process

The production involved filming at two contrasting locations to demonstrate the scheme's widespread impact. At St Lawrence Church, the crew captured interviews with church administrators, clergy, and volunteers who run community services including the Wellness Hub, Taste Cafe, and emergency food parcels. B-roll footage documented both the building's deterioration and its active community programmes. In Cornwall, a separate crew filmed at the rural St Grada and Holy Cross Church, interviewing local stakeholders including the treasurer, post mistress, fundraisers, and community members with personal connections to the church. The production used ethical filming practices, representing communities with dignity rather than pity. The balanced, solution-oriented tone aimed to inform policymakers, while emotionally engaging the public to take action.

The Results

Feedback has been positive from both the internal team and the churches.

"Thanks so much for this! I’m really excited to see it go live! And it makes me so happy that the churches loved it too!!"