Doing things the bodmin way

Presentation Event on 2nd October 2025

An introduction to the Bodmin Team Ministry’s Social Enterprise

Innovation and enterprise at Bodmin Way are catching people’s attention. Following a recent article in the Church Times, a day-conference drew participants from Cornwall and Devon to hear more about its groundbreaking approach to mission. Team leaders from Bodmin Way’s key activities shared their stories and outlined its business model. From its inception in 2018, they traced the growth of its work in community support, tacking health inequalities and breaking new ground in schools.

Delegates networked over refreshments provided by volunteers from Bodmin Way's Community Cuppa, a weekly get together in St. Petroc’s Church and shared the space with the Bodmin Way Presentation.

Team Rector, Revd Paul Holley, set the context of Bodmin and the Team Ministry, with attendees feeling free to ask questions and share their contexts, which become a helpful pattern throughout the day.

Revd Elaine Munday, team Pioneer Minister, spoke with passion about her role, how it has developed over the years and been funded. At her ordination Bishop Tim said: “Be creative and imaginative.” Leading many different projects, Elaine has certainly done that. She is well known in the town and has developed relationships that have built trust, enabling her to demonstrate the love and compassion of God widely.

Health is high on Bodmin Way’s agenda. It shares a Parish Nurse with a neighbouring cluster of churches. Parish Nurses are Christians and community based and work alongside churches, health professionals and organisations. Parish Nurse and priest, Revd Geraldine Ashton, attends Bodmin Way weekly events and shared her take on the role.

Also part of Bodmin Way’s health and wellbeing partnerships and projects, one of the ‘CHWWs’ (Community Health and Wellbeing Workers), Amy Clemow, shared the work she and three others do. It’s not a quick fix but they have time to build relationships and see lives changed. St. Austell’s CHWWs pilot programme has been rolled out to several Cornish towns and could be seen further afield if the government back the NHS’s ten-year plan.

Questions posed led to interesting discussions: What have church ministries and mission groups got to offer to health and wellbeing initiatives? How does this work complement Christian mission?

Bodmin Way’s General Manager and Flourish project lead, Revd Simon Atkinson, led the first afternoon session. With vast work experience including headship and school inspector, Simon has valuable insight into how to best connect with schools. He shared practical ways churches can approach their schools’ work.

Paul spoke about services to the team churches, the enterprise business model and governance, and Simon finished the presentation by explaining the leadership, management and operations of Bodmin Way including paid and volunteer roles.

At the start of the day, two people shared why they came to the presentation.

One attendee, formerly Diocese Secretary in London said: “I know a bit about how churches run, and I’m very interested to hear about the Bodmin Way initiative.”

Dave Wilkie, team vicar in Devon said: “I want to re-imagine what the church can do in the community and for me it’s a case of resourcing.”

At the close of the day attendees said:

“Bodmin Way is building community in lots of ways.”

“Bodmin Way is so refreshing. It’s how church should be.”

“It’s inspiring to see a team of churches engaging in so many ways with the community.”

“There is something in this (the Bodmin Way model) that is important for the future of the Church.”

Paul reiterated that the Bodmin Way can’t be replicated in its entirely but can offer ideas, tips and tried and tested schemes. Relationships and collaboration seem to be key and a combination of paid staff and volunteers. Doing things the Bodmin Way has worked and continues to work for the Bodmin Team Ministry.