Who we are

Monton Unitarian Church is an imposing building rich with heritage, that is home to a vibrant, growing liberal religious community. We are non-creedal, which means that everyone is welcome regardless of what name they give their faith - within our movement we have people who identify as Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Pagan, Atheist, among others, as well as a lot who are happy just continually exploring and discovering what gives them their greatest sense of purpose and meaning. The building itself is used both for regular worship, and for baptisms, weddings, funerals for all people across Salford members or not, and we are the only church in Salford to have a same-sex wedding licence. We are also wanting to improve what the building can offer to the community to include concerts, art displays, play readings, discussion groups etc. so that it can really become the heart of the community.

The problem

But we are have very poor wheelchair accessibility at the moment. Built in 1875, designed by Thomas Worthington, wheelchairs weren't part of the consideration back then. And yet we have increasing numbers of wheelchair users coming to our services and events. At the moment, we have a portable metal ramp that we lift in and out of position when required, but it does not cover all the steps, it is clumsy and heavy, and not entirely safe - one young concert attendee was virtually tipped out of his wheelchair as he attempted to navigate it, despite all our best efforts.

Once in, our wheelchair users have to stay in either the main aisle, or the side aisles, rather than being able to sit with their friends easily - and should they need the toilet, they have to leave the building altogether, back down that treacherous ramp, and go to our nearby hall for an accessible toilet.

We want to have a church that is welcoming and accessible to all, so that everyone can come to all of our events, regardless of whether they are coming on foot or on wheel!

The solution

We have designed, planned and been given permission from Salford Council to go ahead with a full accessibility project - a proper, permanent wheelchair ramp to the main door, a wheelchair accessible toilet inside, and levelling some areas at the front of the church inside, and creating 'wheelchair bays' within the pews to enable everyone to feel included and welcomed. But in a grade 2* listed building, that doesn't come cheap - the overall cost is looking to be around £100,000 - and we want to have it done before Christmas! We are applying to a number of grant making bodies, but we need your help too.

So please - anything that you can give to help us reach our target, and make this beautiful church truly open to all, physically as well as spiritually, will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!