Four new Learning Communities start training for social action

Together Liverpool is launching four new Learning Communities with churches across four deaneries in the Diocese of Liverpool.

Designed to help groups set up and develop social action projects, the training began this January, with groups in Sefton South and Ormskirk. Our team will soon start working with more churches in West Derby, and Toxteth and Wavertree.

This follows two successful Learning Communities run by Together Liverpool through its flagship Network of Kindness project in Huyton and Sefton North in 2024. These supported the launch of 20 new social action projects.

Among them, St Gabriel’s church in Huyton Quarry opened a £30,000 community social action hub and café, and St Luke’s and St Jude’s in West Derby launched a lunch club to tackle social isolation and food insecurity.

Each group of churches works collaboratively through four Learning Community modules. These include exploring the demographics, needs, assets, and existing work in their area, as well as receiving training in measuring the impact of their work to help attract future funding.

Joseph Cottrell, Social Action Lead Development Officer for Together Liverpool and the Network of Kindness said: “We’re really pleased to be running four new Learning Communities, engaging churches across four deaneries over the next six months.

“Our sessions in Sefton South and Ormskirk have already been very productive, with lots of collaboration and reflection. We’re looking forward to starting conversations in West Derby and Toxteth and Wavertree next month.

“Our aim is to support participants to take the next step in social action, whether that’s launching a new project or developing an existing one. No matter your starting point, social action is open to everyone—even if resources feel limited. Whether a church is in an affluent area or one of acute poverty, there’s always a way to engage communities and help local people thrive.

“We also believe strongly in developing social action that is rooted in the local area. The initial mapping work provides valuable insights, offering a strong foundation for groups to identify where they can help meet local needs.”

Following the Huyton Learning Community last year, Area Dean for Huyton Revd Canon Malcolm Rogers MBE said: “It’s been an energising, informative and useful process – all really worthwhile.

“Being strategic about our goals and outputs has helped unlock more funding, and to harness the previous work we’ve done to build relationships with community.

“The Learning Community absolutely plugged into where we are at as a deanery how we are responding to the needs of local people.

“Social justice is the core of the gospel and it’s really helped us in that area. It’s one of the best quality deanery opportunities we’ve been involved in.”

Please pray for the churches participating in this year’s Learning Communities. Together may we find wisdom and resources to take positive next steps in social action, helping make a bigger difference in our communities.