Bedfordshire Essex And Hertfordshire District Of The Methodist Church

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Data not publicly available
• Success Rate: Not published
• Decision Time: Fast-track (<£2,000): 7 days; Standard applications: quarterly reviews
• Grant Range: Up to £50,000 (property projects)
• Geographic Focus: Bedfordshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire (2,500 square miles, 3.7 million population)

Contact Details

Address: H17 Peek Business Centre, Woodside, Dunmow Road, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 5RG

Website: www.behdistrict.org.uk

Email: beh34office@gmail.com

Phone: 01279 657195

Grants Secretary: Tony Trevers (Trustee)

Overview

The Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District of the Methodist Church (Charity Number 1133921) serves as a regional district within the Methodist Church's connexional structure. The district provides “a framework of support for all aspects of church and circuit life and ministry within and without church walls and structures” across eleven circuits spanning from the Essex coast to the Dunstable Downs. Registered as a charity, the district operates primarily as a grant-making organization, supporting Methodist churches, circuits, and mission initiatives through its District Advance Fund (DAF) and specialized grant programmes. The district is particularly focused on energy efficiency improvements, community mission projects including “warm spaces” initiatives, ministerial and lay training, and new models of church. Led by Chair Rev David Michael Chapman and a board of 18 trustees, the organization emphasizes chaplaincy work in schools, hospitals, prisons, airports, and universities, along with commitments to justice, dignity, solidarity, and ecological sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

District Advance Fund (DAF)

• Property Development: Up to 25% of costs (maximum £50,000)
• Church Energy Efficiency: Up to one-third of project costs (maximum £40,000) with matched circuit funding
• Mission Initiatives: New church models, ecumenical work, community projects
• Application deadlines: 22 September 2025, 27 January 2026, 27 May 2026
• Applications under £2,000: Fast-track decision within 7 days
• Emergency church repairs: 10-day turnaround

Warm Spaces Grants

• Up to £1,000 for providing warm spaces (November–April period)
• Community support initiative for vulnerable populations

Beyond Warm Spaces Grants

• Up to £1,000 for continuing community support initiatives
• Mutually exclusive with Warm Spaces grants

Manse Energy Performance Improvement

• Up to 50% of costs for achieving EPC Standard C
• Requires matched funding from the circuit
• Only available for properties not already at 'C' rating

Training Grants

• For ministerial and lay training supporting church mission
• Training not otherwise available through the Learning Network
• Amounts considered on individual merit

3Generate Youth Event Support

• District covers ticket costs for youth event participation

Priority Areas

• Mission and ministry initiatives within Methodist circuits
• New models of church and worship
• Ecumenical partnerships and collaborative projects
• Community projects serving local needs
• Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability
• Ministerial and lay leadership development
• Youth engagement and development
• Warm spaces and community support for vulnerable populations
• Chaplaincy work (schools, hospitals, prisons, airports, universities)

What They Don't Fund

• Training already available through the Methodist Learning Network
• Manse improvements where property already has EPC 'C' rating or above
• Projects without circuit or church connection to the BEH District
• Applications from outside Bedfordshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire geographic area

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees (18 members)

Chair: Rev David Michael Chapman (appointed 24 August 2016)

Other Key Trustees:

• Tony Robert Trevers (Grants Secretary, appointed 1 September 2024)
• Rev Caroline Wickens (appointed 1 September 2025)
• Rev Moses Agyam (appointed 1 September 2025)
• David Robert Edney (appointed 14 September 2024)
• Eric John Smart (appointed 1 September 2024)
• Steven William Thomas Rogers (appointed 1 September 2023)
• Rev Sandra Mary Howes (appointed 1 September 2023)
• Angela Mary Turner (appointed 1 September 2023)
• Rev Christine Pamela Preece (appointed 17 September 2022)
• Rev David Jebb (appointed 1 September 2022)
• Rev Zena Frances Smith (appointed 1 September 2022)
• Stuart John Watkin (appointed 15 March 2022)
• Stephen Mark Watson (appointed 4 January 2022)
• Rev Chris Sandy (appointed 18 September 2021)
• Rev Mark Paul Hammond (appointed 16 September 2017)
• Keith Norman (appointed 13 January 2014)
• David Alan Germany (appointed 21 September 2013)

The board includes both ordained ministers and lay members, reflecting the district's commitment to collaborative leadership across clergy and laity.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted to the District Grants Committee through forms available on the BEH District website (www.behdistrict.org.uk). Contact the Grants Secretary Tony Trevers or the district office at beh34office@gmail.com for application forms and guidance.

Application Submission: Forms submitted to District Grants Committee

Application Deadlines (for District Advance Fund):

• 22 September 2025
• 27 January 2026
• 27 May 2026

Decision Timeline

Fast-Track Process: Applications under £2,000 receive decisions within 7 days

Emergency Repairs: 10-day turnaround for urgent church repairs

Standard Applications: Quarterly review meetings (three times per year)

Notification Methods: Decisions communicated by the District Grants Committee following review meetings

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly published by the district.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified. Applicants should contact the Grants Secretary for guidance on resubmitting applications.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Methodist Mission: The district prioritizes projects that “support the mission of the Church,” so applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed work advances Methodist values and community service.

Circuit Support and Matched Funding: For property and energy projects, demonstrating circuit commitment through matched funding significantly strengthens applications. The district expects circuits to share financial responsibility.

Community Impact: Projects serving vulnerable populations or addressing local community needs are prioritized, as evidenced by warm spaces and community support grants.

Environmental Sustainability: The district's Eco District initiative and emphasis on energy efficiency improvements suggest that environmentally conscious projects receive favorable consideration.

Clear Project Planning: Fast-track decisions for smaller grants (under £2,000) suggest that well-defined, straightforward projects with clear budgets and outcomes are valued.

Emergency Need: The 10-day turnaround for emergency church repairs indicates that urgent, essential maintenance receives priority consideration.

Training Impact: Training grant applications should demonstrate that the training is not available elsewhere through Methodist networks and will directly support mission objectives.

Geographical Relevance: Projects must serve communities within the district's 2,500 square mile area covering Bedfordshire, Essex, and Hertfordshire.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Fast-track available: Applications under £2,000 get 7-day decisions—consider breaking larger projects into smaller phases if appropriate
• Plan for quarterly deadlines: Standard applications are reviewed three times annually (September, January, May)—submit well in advance
• Demonstrate circuit partnership: Matched funding from circuits strengthens applications, particularly for property and energy projects
• Emphasize community impact: Projects serving vulnerable populations and addressing local needs align with district priorities
• Highlight sustainability: Environmental benefits and energy efficiency improvements are valued given the district's Eco District commitment
• Contact early: Reach out to Grants Secretary Tony Trevers before applying for guidance on fit and requirements
• Know your circuit connection: Ensure clear links to one of the eleven circuits within the BEH District's geographic area

References

• Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District - District Grants page: https://www.behdistrict.org.uk/Groups/189815/BEH_District/District_Life/District_Grants/District_Grants.aspx
• Charity Commission Register - Charity Number 1133921: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5006548
• BEH District - About the District: https://www.behdistrict.org.uk/Groups/70757/BEH_District/about_us/about_us.aspx
• BEH District - Circuits within the District: https://www.behdistrict.org.uk/Articles/106934/BEH_District/about_us/Circuits/Circuits_within_the.aspx
• Charity Commission Register - Trustees of Charity 1133921: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5006548/trustees
• BEH District main website: https://www.behdistrict.org.uk/