12 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 31st ANNUAL EDITION These are entirely understandable concerns but they may be more of a psychological barrier than a real one. According to Claire Walker, the incidence of vandalism has been shown to reduce when churches open their doors during the week. The findings from this recent research suggest that being open makes little difference overall to the risks of crime and antisocial behaviour on church property. TAKING PRECAUTIONS In many cases the benefits of opening church doors almost certainly outweigh the challenges. That’s even more true if churches take some simple precautions to minimise risk and keep their property, buildings and people safe. When it comes to risk management steps, churches should follow the guidance from their insurers. Much of the advice relates to good housekeeping, such as ensuring doors and windows are locked. Among the most practical steps to take are to enlist the help of neighbours and the local community. If you make sure local residents know the church is operating an open door policy, they’ll be more likely to report any activity that seems out of place. People tend to pay less notice to the comings and goings of people near buildings that appear locked and unused. Churches can also encourage local people to pop in when they’re passing by. This is most easily achieved when you give them something to pop in for. Promote the idea of the church as a space for everyone, whether they’re religious or not. It can be a place for a quiet break, or somewhere to use the WiFi, or an architectural gem to admire, as well as a place for prayer and spiritual contemplation. Parishes are breathing new life into churches by opening them as community hubs. Churches are hosting mother and baby groups, post offices, food banks and cafes. Community groups are hiring out church halls for meetings and activities, turning them into centres for yoga, kids’ messy play, concerts and exhibitions. For example, in inner city Liverpool, Christ Church Kensington is bustling with classes, dance and music activities, social functions, holiday clubs and youth groups as well as a weekly food bank. In rural Wales, part of St Madoc of Ferns near Haverfordwest is being used as a heritage centre and rehearsal space. A WIDENING REMIT Ecclesiastical’s research shows that many churches are already widening their remit, with two thirds (65%) used as hubs for community events and a similar number (66%) wanting to do more. Activities include school visits (71%), renting out spaces to community groups (71%), holding concerts (63%) and hosting toddler/baby groups (55%). Over a quarter (26%) believe hosting these events deters thieves. Some of the more commercial activities help top up church coffers. All of these activities help turn underused buildings into places that brim with life for much of the week. Churches with a regular flow of visitors are an unlikely target for crime. Those with strong ties to the community – religious and otherwise – nurture a sense of shared ownership and responsibility. Not all churches are suitable for community activities like these, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be open and accessible through the day with the right precautions. For example, draw up a rota of volunteers who can be present in church, though also consider their personal safety if anyone is likely to be in the building on their own. Ideally, volunteers will work in teams of two and have access to mobile phones. Think about installing a secure storage area where valuables can be locked away and keep photographs of valuables and portable furniture to make recovery easier in the event of theft. CCTV systems and personal attack alarms are other possibilities, if resources stretch that far. For more information on opening doors more often, churches should talk to their insurance providers. But that’s also seen as a potential barrier by churchwardens, who worry about what an open door policy might mean for their insurance premiums. The good news is that it’s unlikely to make any difference at all. There should be no impact on premiums if churches are open during daylight hours and proper risk assessments have been made. It is a condition of cover that doors are still locked overnight though, and churches need to ensure they have the appropriate measures in place to ensure that is the case. AN OPEN AND WELCOMING CHURCH In towns, suburbs and villages around the country, churches are underused, while the costs of their upkeep continue to rise. Ensuring they stay open for worship often means opening them for other purposes, too. There are huge benefits in keeping church doors open for everyone. Visitors leave donations, volunteers help with maintenance and local groups hire space. People nurture and protect institutions that are important to the life of the community. There are risks to an open door policy, but these are often overstated. Open but well used buildings may be less prone to crime and antisocial behaviour than locked and lonely ones. There are also easy and inexpensive ways to reduce the risks of crime in open buildings. If you don’t already keep your church doors open, it may be time to consider doing so. A sensible approach can make your church a safe and welcoming space for all and put it back at the heart of your community. HELEN RICHARDS is Church Operations Director, Ecclesiastical Insurance Volunteers at St Madocs of Ferns, near Haverfordwest (Photo: St Madocs)
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