Learning Communities
Faith groups are right at the heart of our communities, and we want to help them to keep making a positive difference to people's lives, through social action.
But it can be difficult to know where to start. How do you make sure you’re doing the right thing in the right way? How do you make sure what you’re doing is sustainable? What if you don’t have enough volunteers or you feel like a lone voice?
Who is this for?
Our Learning Communities offer a structured social action development programme, equipping church and other faith groups in the Diocese of Liverpool area to take their next step in social action.
Whether your team is just getting started or has been active for many years, we’ve got the tools, resources and experience to help you launch or develop social action projects in your community.
How will it help my faith group?
Our Learning Communities help groups firstly to understand about the social action happening in your community.
The programme then equips you to launch new social action projects or take the next step in developing work you’re already doing, as well as measuring the impact you’re making in your community.
Mapping social action
Firstly, we we work with groups to map the social action that’s happening in local areas, and provide a survey for participating groups to carry out with people living in your community. To see if we have mapped your area click here.
Programme structure
We then bring together groups in the same geographical or deanery area, to work through four sessions, rooted in our core principles of Listening, Connecting, Equipping and Campaigning.
These collaborative sessions take place in person over several months, to cover: Data and Decisions; Vision and Counting; Listening and Equipping; Campaigning and Launching.
Find out more
Read more about our Learning Communities launched in Huyton and Sefton North.
Please get in touch to find out about taking part in a future Learning Community. Contact our Executive Director James Green.
Learning Communities FAQs
What happens at a Learning Community?
Learning Communities are made up of input from the Together Liverpool team, group exercises with your faith group team, and the chance to hear about what others are thinking about. It’s a great place for shared learning and planning that leads to real action.
Who should come to a Learning Community?
To get the most out of the learning community it’s best to bring your church or faith group's senior leader as well as those likely to help lead and run a new social action project or are already involved in social action in your church. Teams between 4-6 people give you the best mix of good conversation but a small enough group to make meaningful progress.
How long will the whole process take?
From starting the surveys to finishing the Learning Community takes just under a year. That gives you plenty of time in between sessions to involve your church PCC or faith group governing body, and do the work you need to develop your social action.
How do we get involved?
Get in touch with us and let us know you’re interested! We’ll let you know when we’re planning to work in your area and be in touch when the time comes to start mapping and planning. You can also signup to our mailing list to hear more about the work we’re doing and how you can join in.
How much does it cost?
We’re funded by a combination for grants including the Natonal Lottery Communities Fund, as well as church and personal donations. We don’t charge groups to be part of our work but you’re welcome to make a donation - please contact us.
What about Fit for Mission?
Fit for Mission is a Liverpool Diocesan initiative to support churches to grow over the coming years .We’re working closely with the Fit for Mission team to make sure we fit in well with their timings so Liverpool Diocesan churches are well supported.
Fit for Mission aims to launch 125 Justice Initiatives over the next 6 years and we’re helping them to get there. We work with churches whether or not they’ve opted into Fit for Mission or not.