As appointed Project Manager and Activity Plan Consultant for the St Richard’s 60:60 project, we are delighted to share that St Richard’s Church in Ham has been awarded over £425k from Historic England to address urgent repair needs — a major step in securing the future of this remarkable Grade II listed building.

Built in 1964, St Richard’s is an iconic modernist space with a rare timber hyperbolic paraboloid roof and a unique hexagonal layout designed by Ralph Covell. The church has served as a place of worship, community gathering, creativity, and celebration for six decades. However, roof failure and significant timber deterioration have placed the building on the Heritage at Risk Register. This funding allows the church to begin the essential first phase of capital works, including:

• Repairing the timber roof shell and edge beams
• Re‑covering the roof in copper‑coloured zinc
• Improving rainwater systems
• Restoring the side chapel and high‑level windows

As Project Manager, Focus will be leading the development phase: coordinating a team of consultants, managing the programme, risk and budget and ensuring strong communication across all partners and stakeholders.

Alongside this as Activity Plan Consultant, we will also be developing a Heritage Engagement Programme that celebrates the church’s cultural, community, and natural heritage through a range of new activities for local people.

St Richard’s has always been a centre for creativity and community spirit and this project will ensure it can continue to serve Ham for generations to come.

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