The United Church Of St Paul'S Balsall Heath (Anglican And Urc)

Charity 1160049

Overview

Summary

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

The United Church of St Paul’s Balsall Heath appears to be a locally rooted Christian institution whose civic role extends beyond worship through space, practical support and community-facing services. Its stated special interest in older people suggests that it may function as a neighbourhood anchor for a group often at risk of isolation, while its formal objects retain a broad mandate spanning pastoral care, poverty relief, community facilities and support for other charities.

See observations

Operational geography

Sources:ONSCivic AtlasAI-assisted

Coverage: Neighbourhood

Operational areas:

Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Balsall Heath West

Confidence: low

Current official and organisation-linked sources consistently identify Balsall Heath Church Centre as a venue where the charity delivers worship, pastoral ministry and a weekly community drop-in. However, the available evidence does not independently establish that the venue is within the Balsall Heath West ward.

  • Charity Commission, 2024 trustees' report and accounts
    The trustees state that they maintain Balsall Heath Church Centre and provide Christian ministry from it; activities include worship, pastoral care for people living in the parish, and missionary and outreach work.
  • A Church Near You (Church of England), The United Church of St Paul's
    The church lists Balsall Heath Church Centre as its address and advertises recurring Holy Communion services at the United Church of St Paul's there.
  • Birmingham Connect to Support directory
    Balsall Heath Church Centre is listed as providing a weekly Wednesday Place of Welcome/community drop-in, open to everyone.
  • Birmingham City Council, Balsall Heath West councillor page
    The Balsall Heath West ward councillor page lists a surgery at Balsall Heath Church.
Remaining uncertainties
  • The Charity Commission records Birmingham City as the charity's area of operation, but the current detailed evidence identifies delivery only from the Balsall Heath Church Centre and through the St Paul's Balsall Heath parish. This is insufficient to evidence citywide delivery.
  • The available sources do not define the full boundary of the ecclesiastical parish or show whether pastoral visiting and outreach currently take place beyond Balsall Heath West.
  • The church centre hosts or is associated with wider networks and other organisations, including a Place of Welcome and listings for food or youth-support activity. The evidence does not establish that the charity itself operates those wider networks or services, or that they extend its own footprint beyond its Balsall Heath site.
  • The Charity Commission states that the charity does not own or lease land or property; therefore, the evidence supports the church centre as an active operational venue, but not necessarily as charity-owned premises.
Additional evidence needed
  • A current programme, annual report or service calendar identifying the locations and catchment of outreach, pastoral visiting, community groups and any off-site activity.
  • Confirmation from the charity of which services at Balsall Heath Church Centre it directly runs, versus services delivered by independent partner organisations using the premises.
  • A current parish or operational-area map showing whether the charity regularly delivers activity in neighbouring wards.

Areas of work

Source:Charity Commission
  • General Charitable Purposes
  • Religious Activities
  • The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty

Who they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • The General Public/mankind

How they help

Source:Charity Commission
  • Provides Advocacy/advice/information
  • Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
  • Provides Services

Discoveries involving this organisation

The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.

Observations

Sources:Civic AtlasAI-assisted

  • A faith institution with an explicitly civic operating role

    The organisation appears to use its religious identity not only for worship and teaching, but as a basis for providing facilities, services and support to the wider community.

    Why it matters

    This suggests the church may be relevant to local partners concerned with social connection, accessible community space and practical support, rather than only to those seeking religious activity.

    Show evidence

    • “The charity’s objects include providing facilities with a Christian ethos for the local community.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    • “The charity provides buildings, facilities or open space, services, and advocacy, advice or information.”

      Source:Charity Commission

  • Older people may be a defining local constituency

    Although the charity is formally open to the general public, its stated special interest in older people may mean that later-life wellbeing, pastoral connection or access to welcoming space is a distinctive part of its local role.

    Why it matters

    This may identify the organisation as a potential connector for services addressing isolation, bereavement, poverty or participation among older residents.

    Show evidence

    • “We are a Church of England Church with a special interest in the elderly.”

      Source:Organisation

    • “The charity’s objects include pastoral work, including visiting the sick and the bereaved.”

      Source:Charity Commission

  • Its mandate creates scope for partnership beyond its own congregation

    The objects indicate a potentially collaborative model: the church can undertake activities with others and support charities in the UK and overseas, alongside local community provision.

    Why it matters

    This suggests that the organisation may be more than a standalone service provider; it could be a venue, referral point, volunteer base or partner for organisations with complementary community-support capabilities.

    Show evidence

    • “The charity may engage in activities on its own or with others.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    • “The charity’s objects include supporting other charities in the UK and overseas.”

      Source:Charity Commission

    Remaining uncertainties

  • What services or activities are currently delivered for older people and how regularly they operate.
  • Whether community facilities are used by groups beyond the congregation.
  • Which local organisations, public services or charities the church currently works with.
  • How poverty relief and advocacy are delivered in practice.

    Additional evidence needed

  • A current programme or timetable of worship, community activities and older-people-focused support.
  • Information on facility users, local partnerships, referrals and volunteer activity.
  • Recent annual reports or impact information showing beneficiaries, demand and outcomes.
Charity Commission profile
Source:Charity Commission

Activities

We are a Church of England Church with a special interest in the elderly.

Charity objects

TO ADVANCE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IN THE AREA OF BENEFIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF THE PARTICIPATING CHURCHES. IN ACHIEVING ITS PURPOSE, THE CHARITY WILL ENGAGE IN A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, EITHER ON ITS OWN OR WITH OTHERS, INCLUDING (BUT NOT RESTRICTED TO): A) THE CELEBRATION OF PUBLIC WORSHIP; B) THE TEACHING OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH; C) MISSION AND EVANGELISM; D) PASTORAL WORK, INCLUDING VISITING THE SICK AND THE BEREAVED; E) THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES WITH A CHRISTIAN ETHOS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING (BUT NOT RESTRICTED TO) THE ELDERLY, THE YOUNG AND OTHER GROUPS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS; AND F) THE SUPPORT OF OTHER CHARITIES IN THE UK AND OVERSEAS.