Church of England leaders in Lancashire have welcomed a serious government commitment to take a position in among the county’s most disadvantaged areas, describing it as a “vital step forward” for regeneration and community renewal.
Six neighbourhoods – including Darwen, Ribbleton, Morecambe, Blackpool, and Blackburn Fleetwood – will each be allocated £20 million over the subsequent ten years via the national Pride in Place fund.
An additional six councils, amongst them Pendle, Burnley, Hyndburn and Preston, will even profit, with £1.5 million each earmarked for regeneration projects.
The announcement drew strong support from the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Philip North, the Bishop of Lancaster Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, and the Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev Dr Joe Kennedy, who put out a collective statement praising each the resilience of Lancashire communities and the importance of sustained investment.
“Many of those communities are places where people have long shown extraordinary resilience, creativity and look after each other – often within the face of economic hardship and social challenge,” the bishops said.
The bishops highlighted the Church of England’s longstanding presence in these communities, through local parishes, schools and partnerships with civic leaders.
“We are usually not outsiders looking in, but neighbours and fellow residents, committed to walking alongside these communities in faith, service and love,” they stated.
“Renewal shouldn’t be nearly buildings and infrastructure – it’s about people. It’s about restoring dignity, nurturing hope and creating spaces where every one can flourish.”
They also pointed to the Church’s own recent investments, including “over £25 million of national church funding secured in 2024 to support parish growth, youth ministry and community outreach in the approaching years” across Lancashire.
In addition, the bishops announced that this week will see the launch of Hope4Accrington, a recent project focused on Oswaldtwistle, Huncoat, Accrington, and Baxenden.
The programme goals to “secure further funds from the national church in 2026 and to work alongside civic and community leaders to grow the Church, spend money on local life and share the transformative message of Jesus Christ”.
The bishops concluded: “We consider in Lancashire. We consider within the individuals who live here. And we consider in God who brings light into darkness, joy into sorrow and hope into every corner of our county.
“We are committed to being a part of that story — now and within the years to come back.”
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