Quaker meeting house gets £25k improvement grant

The building dates back to 1953

A Quaker meeting house in Coventry will receive a £25,000 grant that will fund an "overhaul" to make it more accessible.

The building, which dates back to 1953, hosts many forms of support and community groups - including parent and toddler groups, counselling, religious groups, and support for refugees and asylum seekers.

The grant is part of a £1m payout by the National Churches Trust to help keep churches, meeting houses and chapels open and in use.

Changes made to the building will enable the site to be used by more members of the community, and host events to combat loneliness.

A lift will be added to the first floor meeting room, as well as access being opened up to the kitchen.

Accessible toilets and baby changing areas will be added, and the ground floor room will be made more safe.

The changes have been decided based on a consultation with groups who use the building, as well as those who have not been able to due to the lack of accessibility.

"Our Quaker Meeting House dates from the 1950s and is of its age - we are keen to bring it up to modern standards so we, and the communities of Coventry, can use it for generations to come," said Lesley Butterwick, convenor of the design group.

"We are pleased the National Churches Trust is making a grant towards this much needed work.

"We will be able to open up our building to groups currently unable to access it and make it easier for all to use, the alterations and improvements we plan will make the building more user-friendly while keeping the much-appreciated sense of a welcoming space for all."