Protesters at Christ Church in Hampstead

• AS with Christ Church in Hampstead (‘Last affordable nursery’ forced to leave by church landlords, May 5), many churches throughout the land provide massive social support to people and communities throughout the UK.

We calculate in our The House of Good report that the value of that economic and social good is worth over £50billion a year.

Churches are home to nurseries because they are well known local buildings. They can offer their premises at a reasonable price, as well, as they do not seek to make a profit. Any income they make helps to keep the church open and in good repair.

However keeping churches open and in good repair is a costly business. Over the next five years, the Church of England alone has estimated that it faces a repair and maintenance bill for its parish churches of over £1billion.

The next few years will be make or break for many churches. To make sure as many as possible stay open and benefit our society a co-ordinated approach to the funding of church buildings involving church leaders, heritage bodies, local and central government, and philanthropic funders, is urgently needed.

Investment in churches as a vital network of support for those in need is an essential step towards addressing inequality and improving the lives of millions of our fellow citizens.

EDDIE TULASIEWICZ
National Churches Trust
7 Tufton Street
SW1P 3QB