Cinnamon helps churches transform their communities through investing in practical social-franchise projects and through equipping leaders and volunteers.

Support from Westhill will strengthen our Connect programme, expanding training and updating content to meet emerging challenges. Connect Online offers churches resources, webinars, and collaboration opportunities, while Connect Academy provides a year of practitioner-led workshops and Learning Hubs.

We aim to refresh modules on leadership, inclusion, partnerships, and impact, and to pilot a new face-to-face residential Academy for churches facing barriers to online learning. This intensive two-day programme will build skills, confidence, and community, enabling participants to launch effective local social action.

Cinnamon works with churches of all sizes and traditions across the UK, equipping leaders and volunteers to respond confidently to the needs of their communities. Many churches want to engage in meaningful social action but lack the tools, knowledge, or support to begin. Our Connect programme which is made up of Connect Online and Connect Academy provides a structured pathway that helps them build skills, strengthen partnerships, and launch effective, sustainable projects.
 
With more than 1,000 current members, Connect offers practical training, downloadable resources, webinars, and peer learning opportunities that give churches the confidence to take action where it is most needed.
 
With the support of Westhill, we will develop our programme so that it can meet the changing needs of the sector. We are updating and deepening this content, ensuring that leaders are equipped to respond to both current and emerging issues. In addition, we will pilot a new residential version of our Academy for those who find online learning difficult or inaccessible. This two-day, face-to-face model builds on approaches that have worked extremely well in our Incubator programme and will enable participants to form strong peer relationships while developing the core skills needed to deliver impactful social action.
 
Our intention is to support more than 200 local leaders, resulting in the establishment of over 100 faith-motivated community projects across the UK, while also strengthening civic and inter-faith partnerships. The programme will be led by our Connect Lead, Diane, whose 25 years of community development experience ensures high-quality delivery, supported by a skilled team and volunteers.

 
“We are so blessed to have [Cinnamon] Network with all the expertise of everyone in the network”

“I am so grateful to be part of Cinnamon Network right now”

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