Case Study: Newport Pagnell Baptist Church
Introduction
Lovat Hall has become much more than just a Newport Pagnell Baptist Church; rather, it has now become part of the community living within this area. We see this place as the heart of our community. It’s our base and also home to our congregation, but it is open to so many more people than just those within these hallowed walls. The entire town benefits from what this building has to offer – a meeting spot to come for recreation, for support, for education and all kinds of other activities – we want to share the facilities we have to benefit everyone in our community.
Our church recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Starting out as a small house church in 1972, it went to temporary spaces before moving into Lovat Hall which became its permanent home in the mid-90s. After this point Lovat Hall was used for Sunday services and other activities during the week; it’s also used as a community centre to allow people to use the brilliant facilities here.
Newport Pagnell Baptist Church
When were the toilets last updated?
The restrooms had not been updated by then church since the building was purchased from the council back in 1995; before then, the facility had been used as a community centre that hosted events. There have been no upgrades made to them since the building was constructed back in 1970s.
The Challenges
The main challenge for us when upgrading toilets was the cost involved in the project.
Replacing and upgrading the ladies’ toilets was essential as they were in disrepair, unsightly and also unpleasant to use. They were certainly not up to modern standards, nor were they accessible for people with mobility issues. We have people of all ages and levels of mobility using Lovat Hall; they come for different activities and for our older ladies or anyone with mobility problems, they had very numbered narrow cubicles – they just weren’t practical. We do have a fully accessible disability toilet but it’s right at the front end of the building, and if you happen to be in an activity or having an afternoon tea here, or one of the many sports activities for retirees, for example, if you’re in the main hall or smaller rooms at the back, it’s quite a trek to get to the disability toilets! We wanted to make sure everybody’s got a chance of making it to the toilet on time, with dignity, and can use them comfortably, plus have the space they need to fit walking aids in with them to the cubicle. This wasn’t possible before – they just weren’t designed to modern standards.
What was the main financial challenge?
The Church itself had been appealing for donations towards the refurbishment and we had done well with that. However, we only had about £25,000 of the £40,000 required to refurbish the toilets. The Harry Middleton Gift were extremely helpful with getting us over the line and enabling us to plug that gap with the remaining £15,000 we needed to complete work.
How did you hear about The Harry Middleton Gift?
We’ve been aware of THMG through connections in the community for some time now. They have donated money to the pre-school that met at Lovat Hall for some equipment for them and I know that they gave a grant also to the leaders of our Boys Brigade unit who were taking the older lads through their Duke of Edinburgh Award. They needed camping equipment and proper rucksacks and the sum was given to enable that to happen. They also do an annual flyer drop through letterboxes in Newport Pagnell, making people aware of the grants that are available, which came to our attention at the time of us thinking about the toilets.
It wasn’t just about needing to renovate the toilets; it has a slightly wider implication. We are in the middle of preparing for fundraising towards large-scale building redevelopment of the whole of Lovat Hall and ultimately the demolition and rebuilding of the main Hall, and an addition of a second storey to create a new meeting space for the community. All those things that are happening and the renovation of the refurbishment and replacement of the ladies’ toilets were quite an important precursor to that.
It’s important to show people how things can look once the building is fully modernised and made fit for purpose in the future. It’s really helped to give people encouragement to support and contribute now to the larger building project.
The men’s toilets need doing desperately, but because of where they sit in the building they fall under the main building work that will happen as part of Phase One of our wider building project. There’s no point renovating those now because there will be destruction happening from Spring 2024, which is when we plan to commence the building work. I’m afraid the men are going to have to hang on a little longer with the toilets in their current state.
What process did you have to go through in order to secure money from THMG?
We initially completed a form and a declaration of interest in applying for a grant that had been made available through the mail shot by THMG. We were then invited to submit further details and present a pitch to the Trustees of THMG. It took around one month to be approved.
We had initially approached THMG for funds towards our large building project and they contribute towards all the funds we were trying to raise. We pitched to the Trustees who were interested in the project, but because of the nature of their criteria of wanting to be a funder of last resort, they wanted us to come back to them once the project was near completion so they could help to see us over the line. So this made us look at what was needed as a smaller project and the ladies toilets were agreed upon.
How much did The Harry Middleton Gift grant the Church for the project and how much did the Church contribute?
THMG contributed £15,000 and the Church £25,000 from general church funds that have been allocated on specific donations from congregation members.
Who built the toilets?
Meridian Interiors in Buckinghamshire built the toilets.
What impact has the project made and what’s the benefit?
The impact and the benefit are for the whole community in Newport Pagnell. We have 1200 people a week come through the door; many are females who need to use the toilet. We’ve had some fantastic feedback since the toilets have been completed – people comment that it’s a pleasant experience to visit the toilets now. They are used by mums who want to change their babies and toddlers during the Baby & Toddler Groups, through to retirees who use the Hall for social events. They are well-used and well-appreciated.
Are the toilets built with accessibility in mind?
Yes, there are three cubicles. One is an enlarged cubicle with a baby change unit which also allows for wheelchair access, there is one standard cubicle, and the third is an ambulant disabled cubicle which allows for greater manoeuvring space to allow for mobility aids and grab rails.
Are there any other projects that the Church may need help from The Harry Middleton Gift?
The Church is looking to redevelop the whole of Lovett Hall and add more meeting rooms and meeting spaces to meet the demands of the local community. We are intending to keep THMG updated about the progress of that project and at the right time make a further application for funds to support us to see that vision become reality.
Sara Millington
Any advice for other organisations wishing to get in touch with The Harry Middleton Gift?
The Harry Middleton Gift will fund a variety of different projects. People are encouraged to approach them if they have projects that meet their criteria. If they are supporting the local community then there’s every chance the proposal will be successful.
It doesn’t have to be a construction project or a large project like our toilet renovations. It could be something like the purchase of some equipment that’s going to really benefit a community group or funding towards putting on an activity that’s going to help people.
Sara Millington