Eco Gold Award - Barry Uniting Church, Vale of Glamorgan Circuit.

Barry Uniting Church is delighted to have achieved an Eco Church Gold Award, the 4th Gold Awarded Eco Church in Wales and the 83rd awarded in England and Wales.

Barry Uniting Church is a local ecumenical partnership, established in 2012 between the congregations of Windsor Road United Reformed Church and Porthkerry Road Methodist Church.

In 2021, the church opened The Bridge Between Centre at Barry Waterfront, as a flexible church and community centre. The building was developed with sustainability at its heart and provides an attractive and accessible venue for community and church activities.

The Bridge Between Centre is managed by church members in conjunction with other partners, including Vale People First who are based in the building. The Centre boasts an attractive Green Flag Community Garden, a superbly equipped Changing Places facility for users with multiple disabilities and the popular Lana’s Community Café, operated by Vale People First, which is open Tuesday to Friday 10am – 2pm.

Eco Church is an interdenominational, national, environmental award scheme for churches across England and Wales, run by A Rocha UK. The scheme helps churches link environmental issues and their Christian faith and respond in practical action in the church, people’s lives, and the local and global community.

Rev Paul Martin, Minister for Barry Uniting Church said, “We are thrilled at receiving this award.  It is an affirmation for the ongoing journey of seeking to be good stewards of God's creation. We are grateful for those whose hard work is being recognised.”

Zoe Mouti, Service Co-ordinator for Vale People First commented:

“Barry Uniting Church’s achievement in winning the Eco Church Gold Award is a testament

to its commitment to sustainability and community enrichment. This recognition

highlights the church’s dedication to environmental responsibility while fostering an inclusive and supportive space for all.

The partnership between Vale People First and Barry Uniting Church has been

instrumental in creating meaningful opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. Two activities deserve mention; Lana’s Community Café serves as more than just a café—it is a welcoming hub where individuals can gain valuable work experience, develop essential skills, and build confidence in a supportive environment. The café’s fully accessible facilities ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate and thrive.

Additionally, the Bluebell Group provides a vital service for adults with profound multiple learning disabilities, offering a dedicated space for sensory engagement. The presence of a fully accessible changing space ensures that individuals can comfortably take part in activities, knowing their needs are fully supported. This initiative reflects the church’s commitment to inclusivity and its role in empowering individuals through meaningful experiences.

Barry Uniting Church’s efforts exemplify how faith-based organisations can drive positive change, not only through environmental stewardship but also by fostering a community where everyone is valued and supported. This partnership is a shining example of how collaboration can create lasting impact.”

Elin Burgess, Project Officer for Keep Wales Tidy said:

“A massive congratulations to Barry Uniting Church on achieving the Eco Church Gold

Award! We’re thrilled to see this incredible and well-deserved recognition. It’s been a

pleasure working alongside them over the past year on various projects, from installing a

food growing community garden through our Local Places for Nature scheme to supporting

them on their Green Flag journey. Their passion and commitment are truly inspiring, and we

hope their story encourages others to follow in their footsteps.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.                  For more information please contact: Rosie James email Rosie@homeinbarry.co.uk or email The Bridge Between Centre: thebridgebetweenbarry@gmail.com 

2.                  A Rocha UK is a unique Christian nature conservation charity, mobilising Christians and churches to care for the natural world. They run conservation activities on their own reserves and advise a network of conservation partners across the UK; they equip and inspire Christians to enjoy, nurture and defend nature; and they run the Eco Church and related eco-denominational schemes. Visit arocha.org.uk 

3.             Eco Church is a free online award scheme for churches of all denominations in England and Wales, launched by A Rocha UK in 2016. The Eco Church initiative helps churches link environmental issues and their Christian faith and respond in practical action in the church, people’s lives, and the local and global community. It has awards at three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) and considers how the environment is addressed within five key areas of church life: worship and teaching, buildings and energy, land and nature, community and global engagement, and lifestyle.  Eco Church helps churches of all shapes, sizes and traditions along the journey of caring for the environment - from making church land wildlife-friendly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, from integrating praise for creation into worship to speaking up for governments to act. The scheme is growing rapidly, with over 8,300 registered churches and over 4,300 awarded churches to date. Visit ecochurch.arocha.org.uk

4.                  For more information about Vale People First please contact: Zoe Mouti email zoevpf@gmail.com 

For more information about the Green Flag Award in Wales visit www.keepwalestidy.cymru/greenflag