Sportily is a Christian sports and physical activity organisation based in Gloucestershire, creating fun and welcoming spaces where people of all ages can get active, build friendships and explore faith
Category: Latest news
A safe space for Winchcombe’s young people
Sometimes the simplest ideas can make the biggest difference. That’s certainly true of The Beacon, a parish-led project in Winchcombe that offers young people a warm, welcoming place to spend
Big ideas, bold stories, brilliant prizes
Enter the Black History Month 2026 poetry and art competition.
2026 Net Zero Carbon Quick Wins Fund
We are pleased to confirm that the 2026 Net Zero Carbon Quick Wins Fund (NZCQWF) opened to applications on 5th August 2026. Cut-off for the first round of applications will
A year of Lives of Colour projects
Over the past year, Lives of Colour has been working with young people across Cheltenham to explore themes of identity, belonging, racial equity and community. They have produced a recent
Building Management Portal
The Church of England is introducing the Building Management Portal, a new national digital system for managing applications relating to works on churches, their contents, and churchyards. The portal will
How churchyards are building community
A gathering exploring how churches can manage their churchyards for biodiversity has highlighted another important role these spaces can play – bringing communities together. More than 20 people from ten
Saving Old Sodbury’s historic lychgate
St John the Baptist Church, Old Sodbury, has launched an appeal to restore its Grade II listed War Memorial Lychgate, which has suffered serious damage as a result of decay
Finding food support across Gloucestershire
An online food map produced by Feeding Gloucestershire is helping people across the county find food support in their local area, bringing together information about food banks, food pantries, community
Ebola emergency appeal
The word Ebola strikes fear into people’s hearts – but the work of local organisations, with the support of their global faith-based partners, is also bringing hope. In the Democratic
Message from Bishop Rachel, 21 July 2026
As I write this, it is garden party season here at Bishopscourt, and it is such a joy and privilege to be hosting different people, whether from worshipping communities or
Lives of Colour project explores identity through fashion
The Diocese is proud to work alongside Lives of Colour, one of our valued partner organisations, whose work is helping to build more inclusive communities and create opportunities for young
Future Youth Intern Programme
If your A-level results or those of someone close to you weren’t what you hoped for, it may feel as though everyone else has a plan while you’re left wondering what comes next.
“Come for the Pilates, stay for the relationships”
Pilates might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about community, connection and faith. But for Sportily’s Abbie Clarke, these sessions have become so much
Message from Bishop Robert, 14 July 2026
For most children, this is the last week of the summer term, a week marked by a whole range of different emotions.
Stand for Synod
New clergy and lay members are being elected to General Synod this year – and you are invited to stand as a candidate. General Synod is the national assembly of
Historic paintings to be saved by Discover Decrypt project, after The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant
A major new grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will enable St Mary DeCrypt in central Gloucester to conserve and explore internationally significant artwork painted on its medieval walls.
Rachel and RECOGNISE
“We can learn so much from younger people. It’s a very two-way thing. It’s not just us providing and giving information and teaching and nurturing. It’s definitely a partnership in
Message from Bishop Rachel, 7 July 2026
‘An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and
The Revd Canon Richard Mitchell
It is with sadness that we share the news of the death of the Revd Canon Richard Mitchell. Bishop Rachel writes, “Many of you will remember Richard, who retired from
Finding faith and joy on two wheels
The Revd Mark Siddall, Priest in Charge at St James, Quedgeley, has written a practical guide to help anyone considering cycling as their main form of transport. Written from years
Ordinations 2026: photos now available
This weekend, family, friends, clergy and congregations from across the diocese gathered at Gloucester Cathedral to celebrate the ordinations of 18 candidates. Priest photos: Album on Facebook Download in high
An update regarding the Living Alongside Bats in Churches Grant
The Bat Conservation Trust are excited to announce that the next round of applications will open 17 August 2026, and close at 10am on 26 October 2026. We encourage any
Celebrating Pride at St Mary’s
St Mary’s Thornbury welcomed around 70 children from Castle Secondary School who took part in the school’s Pride March on 22 June. During what was one of the warmest weeks
