Creative partnerships in local mission are at the heart of our vision: resourcing and supporting ministry teams to build resilient communities which make Jesus known.
National funding
This year, hard work from a small team of staff and missional leaders across the diocese ensured our application for national funding was approved by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board. This recognised our commitment to investing in 13 Mission Hubs within the wider diocesan vision and strategy. In total, the diocese received £5.1 million, most of which will go directly to Mission Hubs, alongside their own local funds.
The first mission designs for the hubs – which will partner and support surrounding churches – were approved in 2025, with work continuing to finalise remaining plans in early 26. While each hub reflects its local context, all share a commitment to deepening discipleship and engaging more children and young people. Through external funding, we have supported the launch of The Light Church in Royal Wootton Bassett, establishing a new church plant for families previously travelling out of the diocese to worship (see case study below).
Growing Younger
Our partnership with Growing Faith, a national movement working at the intersection of church, school and household, continues to shape our work with children, young people, their families, and those often described as the ‘missing generation’ (ages 25 – 50). Over the last year, five local leaders (lay and ordained) participated in the Growing Faith Strategic Leaders Programme, with a further six clergy joining a new National Incumbents Programme to equip churches to connect more effectively with children and young people.
Flourish
National funding is enabling us to join a network of 12 dioceses piloting new worshipping communities within an educational setting. Building on the partnership between church, school and home, this work is currently being piloted in:
• All Saints School, Weymouth
• Shaftesbury High School
• St Laurence’s, Bradford Upon Avon
• St Mary’s Primary, Bridport
Christian social enterprise
In a unique pilot project, the DBF is supporting a Christian social enterprise in Lyme Regis focussed on connection, reducing isolation and supporting families. Waffle Lyme, launched in 2025, runs community groups and provides individual support through participating in social prescribing. It works with local schools to foster intergenerational connection and has recruited volunteers from local churches to support its activities. Plans are also in place to offer a money budgeting course through Christians Against Poverty in 2026.
Buildings for Mission
As part of a two-year Buildings for Mission project exploring sustainable futures for church buildings, Toni Bush has worked with twenty-five churches and two deaneries. In response to challenges around volunteer capacity and finances, churches have been introduced to an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, focusing on mobilising local strengths to enable meaningful change. ABCD reframes engagement from doing things to and for communities towards working with them. Toni is leading pilot transformation projects in four churches, developing shared missional visions for church buildings alongside local partners. The impact is clear: stronger relationships, co-created events and more creative, diverse use of buildings. Churches are becoming more active, connected and resilient at the heart of their communities.