Heritage & Culture

Securing the Future: Heritage Funding to Celebrate 30 Years of The Monastery

£249,650 Grant Awarded to the Monastery

26/07/2025

There’s a deep stillness to summer at the Monastery – the kind that allows for both reflection and quiet celebration. This year, that stillness carries something new: a sense of joyful momentum.

We’re delighted to share that The Monastery has been awarded a transformational £249,650 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This generous investment marks a major milestone in our journey, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Monastery Trust.

As many of you know, this building – once abandoned and derelict – has been lovingly restored and reopened thanks to decades of community effort. This new heritage funding for historic buildings will help us protect all that’s been achieved so far, and ensure that this precious, grade II* national heritage site continues to thrive for generations to come.

Reflecting on 30 years of restoration

The funding will support a full year of 30th anniversary celebrations, beginning this September, 2025 and running through to autumn 2026. The programme will include concerts, exhibitions, community gatherings, special open days, and our Monastery Memories project; honouring the people and stories who brought this treasured community space back to life.

Planning for the next 30 years

Importantly, the grant allows us to carry out urgent conservation work and take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. We’ll be replacing our aging boiler system with energy-efficient heating to help safeguard the building’s historic fabric and reduce our environmental impact.

“This investment secures the future of the Monastery and its extraordinary community legacy, reinforcing its role as a cultural and spiritual beacon. We are deeply grateful to National Lottery players whose support has made this possible. It’s a chance to celebrate how far the Trust has come in 30 years — and to step boldly into a new chapter of heritage, wellbeing, and creativity in the heart of Gorton.”
— Elaine Griffiths, CEO of the Gorton Monastery Trust

We’re also thankful to Helen Featherstone, Director for England (North) at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who said:

“This funding will not only help preserve the Monastery’s unique heritage but also ensure it continues to thrive as a place of inspiration and connection for generations to come.”

Community and heritage

This moment marks more than just a milestone, it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community, heritage, and vision come together. We are deeply thankful to all National Lottery players, and to each and every one of you who supports the Monastery and its mission.

Published by The Monastery Manchester