Funding to allow public bodies and community groups to purchase books and DVDs about the Christian faith, to be placed anywhere they can be borrowed and enjoyed.

Speaking Volumes, an initiative run by the Christian Book Promotion Trust, works to engage and empower local communities to explore the Christian faith through literature.

Any local group or organisation that wishes to place Christian books and DVDs in community places such as public libraries, schools, hospitals, hospices, prisons or churches in the UK or abroad (as long as the applicant pays the postage) may apply.

When awarding grants, the following priorities are in place:

First priority:

• Public and prison libraries, refuges, hostels, care homes and other libraries where there is great need.

Second priority:

• All schools including playgroups and nurseries.
• Repeat applications where book turnover is high such as prisons and women's refuges.

Third priority:

• Libraries in churches.
• Toddler groups
• Placements abroad.

The Trust offers the following guideline amounts for awards depending on how an application is prioritised:

• Prison, public library - £500.
• Secondary school, further education college - £300.
• Primary school - £250.
• Hospice, care home - £200.
• Pre-school, church - £100.
• Other - discretionary.

The books and DVDs must be selected from the list on the Speaking Volumes website. The list contains many subjects and genres.

The deadline to apply is 30 April 2022.

 

How To Apply

The deadline to apply is 30 April 2022.

Grants are now awarded on a first-come basis, so applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible once an application round opens. Applications submitted outside the official application periods will not be put forward for consideration.

The application process is as follows:

• Applications must be made online on the Speaking Volumes website.
• Applicants pre-select books and complete the application form and then wait to hear from the Trust.
• Successful applicants can then obtain their books and DVDs from their nearest Christian bookshop (a link is provided on the Speaking Volumes website). No money is required, as the bookshops will directly invoice the Trust.
• Afterwards, the grant recipient should send evidence of the books being used (either photo or a letter of acknowledgement). They will also be required to respond to a survey that will be sent a year later.

For more information, visit the Speaking Volumes website.