Abundant Bradwell

30 June 2026

Overall, £5.2m has been committed through the Diocesan Investment Programme, an initial £1.6 million with a further £3.6 million agreed in principle. This funding will support Abundant Bradwell, a missional plan developed in partnership with local church leaders and volunteers across the Bradwell Area of Chelmsford Diocese.

Abundant Bradwell seeks to resource and strengthen parishes across the Episcopal Area, holding a vision for the area as a whole, with some projects supported by national funding. Reflecting the Diocese of Chelmsford’s commitment to Travelling Well Together, the plan has been shaped collaboratively in response to locally discerned needs and opportunities. It focuses on four key areas:

• Helping churches and chaplaincies to flourish abundantly as the people and communities God calls them to be
• Enabling and empowering people to flourish in ministry and daily life
• Supporting significant growth in engagement with children and young people
• Focusing on renewed worship and confident discipleship

The initial tranche of funding will support the development of specific church revitalisation among a network of churches in Southend. It builds on growing congregations and work with young people and draws on planting experience in parts of the diverse Southend Deanery. It will also expand work among the LGBTQI+ community. This builds on an existing chaplaincy and reflects a broader vision of welcome, belonging and growth in Christ in an area where this is an expressed need.

From 2026–2028, a further £3.6 million has been agreed in principle.* This will support outward-looking church renewal, including revitalisation projects in the most densely populated areas of the city of Chelmsford. This following phase will further strengthen parish renewal more broadly across the area, including leadership development, rural ministry, and work with children and young people.

Looking ahead, in 2029, the Bradwell Episcopal Area intends to submit a further bid of up to £7.8m, focusing on Basildon and Thurrock, two areas with significant and growing populations and historic under-investment in its churches.

Bradwell is the second Episcopal Area in The Diocese of Chelmsford to receive investment from SMMIB, following Barking’s successful application to support the Believing in Barking missional plan. An application is also in development for the Colchester Episcopal Area.

Welcoming the news, the Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Revd Adam Atkinson, said:

“It is deeply encouraging to receive this investment, and we give thanks to God for the opportunity it brings.

"We are grateful to the Church of England’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board, and to the Vision and Strategy Team and our diocesan colleagues, for their support and dedication in enabling this work. We trust that it will bear abundant fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit among our beautifully diverse communities in South Essex. These are places rich in life, culture and possibility, marked by very different challenges yet all under the Lord’s loving gaze.

"We are especially thankful to the local churches, clergy, lay leaders and volunteers - whose faithful discernment and commitment continues to shape the vision.

"This investment is one expression of a wider strategic approach called ‘Abundant Bradwell’. Through it, we seek to grow a culture of mutual support and shared mission, trusting that God is already at work among us and inviting every community in Bradwell into fullness of life in Christ.”

The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, said:

“I am grateful to the Church of England’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board for this investment, and to all who have contributed to shaping Abundant Bradwell. I am especially thankful to Bishop Adam, his team, and to the many leaders and volunteers across our parishes whose wisdom, prayer and commitment have helped bring this work to fruition, and who will continue to nurture it as it unfolds.

"This work reflects our deep commitment to participative change, listening for God’s voice across the Church in all its diversity and trusting local communities to recognise where the Spirit is leading them.

"This funding will make a significant and welcome difference in particular places, while also contributing to our wider calling. Together, we seek to share learning, deepen relationships and strengthen the Church’s presence across the communities we serve.

"My prayer is that this investment will not only be fruitful where it is focused, but also be a blessing to the wider Church, as we continue to deepen in faith, hope and love across the Diocese of Chelmsford."

We will continue to share updates as this work takes shape, along with developments in the Colchester Episcopal Area and news of projects beginning to take root and grow in Barking

*In-principle awards are subject to the Archbishops’ Council’s and Church Commissioners’ decisions about the future availability of Diocesan Investment Programme funding, and the Strategic Mission and Ministry Board’s approval of detailed plans brought from the Diocese for the next phase.