The West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative (WMRJI) Microgrants scheme offers more than just funding. It offers possibility.
Are you doing something in your parish to reach those of Majority Global Heritage/ UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds? Is there something you’ve always wanted to do which would benefit from some funding?
All parishes in the Diocese of Worcester are entitled to apply for a grant of up to £1,500 from the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative. These grants aim to support grassroots projects which support belonging and cultural restoration.
Here are some examples of how grants have been used so far:
Mentorship and Education
In Gloucestershire, the Rising Stars After-School Club works with children from African and Afro-Caribbean backgrounds who face disproportionately high rates of school exclusion. The project emphasised confidence-building, academic support, and emotional development. One young girl, previously shy and withdrawn, worked with mentors to build the courage and skills to deliver a public speech—transforming not only how she was seen, but how she saw herself.
In your parish: Could you use grant funding to establish after-school programs, tutoring collectives, or mentorship circles that support young people of the global majority.
Celebrating Cultural Identity
£480 of funding was given to one church to host an International Evening with over 100 people gathering to share dishes from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond. This became a transformative celebration of food, storytelling, and cultural exchange with relationships renewed and established through shared stories, recipes, and song.
In your parish: Could you host “Culture, Faith, and Family” evenings or intercultural gatherings. Let food, music, and testimony create space for healing and shared joy.
Practical Inclusion
At St Francis Church in Coventry, the microgrant supported three simple but powerful practices: transport assistance for worshippers from UKME backgrounds, shared hospitality through meals, and translation support for those speaking English as an additional language. These acts of welcome removed barriers—making it easier for people to fully take part.
In your parish: Consider how small changes—like funding travel, printing multilingual resources, or sharing food after services—can shift a church from accessible to truly welcoming.
Rest, Resistance, and Reflection for Youth
The Diocese of Birmingham’s youth retreat used its microgrant to host a weekend of intentional reflection for racially diverse young people. The weekend created a safe and joyful space for spiritual growth, storytelling, and collective dreaming. Participants left with deeper connections, expanded awareness, and renewed commitment to racial justice in their own communities.
In your parish: Could you use a microgrant to plan retreats or activities for youth of the global majority?
Each microgrant holds the potential to grow something meaningful. Racial justice isn’t just a cause, it’s part of our calling to love more deeply, listen more widely, and welcome more fully.
For more information, please contact microgrants@wmracialjustice.org.uk and visit our website.
