Overview

CoRE is the working name for York City Centre Churches Care and Development Trust; an independent, ecumenical body supporting the churches and associated Christian bodies in York city centre.  The name is derived from the Trust’s 3 primary functions; Communication, Restoration and Education.

CoRE organises a number of events throughout the year to encourage people to discover the life, heritage and culture of the churches in York.

Brief

As the retained development team for CoRE, Plug and Tap’s objectives included:

  • Encouraging residents and tourists to visit the churches within York City Centre.
  • Allowing people to discover some of the jewels of the York city centre churches.
  • Offering fun, stimulating and entertaining activities for people of all ages.
  • Encouraging all the church to get involved.
  • Management of the event throughout the festival.

Project delivery

Plug and Tap worked with the churches to establish ‘jewels’ they may have within their church.  The word jewels assisted in the creation of the branding and publicity material for the festival.  Market research was then undertaken with groups for the target audiences to establish what they would like to see as part of the festival programme.  Plug and Tap invited performers and artists to help visitors interpret the jewels in a series of workshops throughout the festival. Musicians also performed in the venues – the jewels being the acoustics or the organ. The event was promoted through media coverage before the event, posters and leaflets at visitor points, listings in ‘What’s On’ guides and online events listings and through direct e-marketing. Using CoRE’s database Plug and Tap invited people to be stewards and event volunteers and formed a ‘working team’ of representatives from the participating churches to arrange signage, access and complete risk assessments.

Outcomes

  • Large numbers of visitors at each event with particularly popular events including:
    a) Children’s storytelling from local writer, musician and storyteller Miles Salter.
    b) Creative writing workshops for adults.
    c) Craft afternoons based on Bible Stories.
  • Recognition as a York Festival by the City of York Council providing dual branding opportunities.

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