To date, churches in our diocese that are active on Sharesy have made additional average monthly earnings ranging from £2-5,000, welcoming countless new groups and good causes through their doors as they do so.
Hear from Caroline Plaice, Churchwarden and Safeguarding Officer at Holy Trinity Horfield about how Sharesy has supported her parish in increasing their income and reducing their administrative burden.
Background: A thriving community hub
Holy Trinity Church is an Anglican Church in the Inclusive, Catholic tradition, welcoming everyone, regardless of background. Worship at Holy Trinity is centred on the Eucharist and the sacramental life of the Church, helping individuals grow in faith and witness God’s love in daily life.
With a history spanning over a millennium, the church serves not only as a place of worship but also as a vital community hub. Three hireable spaces generate income that supports key outreach projects, including a Warm Welcome initiative during the winter months and a year-round Welcome Pantry. Since 2022, Holy Trinity has also provided refuge for eight guests from Ukraine, reinforcing its mission of hospitality and community support.
The challenge: A cumbersome lettings process
Before partnering with Sharesy, Holy Trinity’s lettings process was time-consuming and inefficient. Securing a single booking often took several days due to back-and-forth communication via emails and phone calls. There was a lack of clarity around booking times and spaces, creating administrative challenges for the team. As a result, some potential hirers may have sought alternative venues due to delays in responses.
In January 2024, venue hire income stood at £3,885, but there was potential for growth with a more streamlined system.
The solution: Finding Sharesy
The church first learned about Sharesy through a Diocese of Bristol mailing. From the outset, Sharesy’s team appeared passionate and committed to providing a solution that would simplify venue hire for community spaces.
Holy Trinity decided to partner with Sharesy for several key reasons:
- Reducing the administrative burden on volunteers.
- Providing clear financial oversight on income generation.
- Creating a seamless booking experience to prevent losing potential hirers.
- Leveraging Sharesy’s well-known ‘Airbnb-style’ system for ease of use.
- Increasing visibility and marketing reach for hireable spaces.
- Boosting income to meet the Parish Share and support strategic goals.
The decision to proceed with Sharesy was approved by the Parochial Church Council (PCC), alongside a revision of hire fees.
Implementation and Onboarding
Holy Trinity went live with Sharesy in November 2024, after a smooth onboarding process. Key highlights included:
- A dedicated onboarding contact, Claudia, who provided invaluable support.
- A thorough review of legacy bookings to ensure a seamless transition.
- Clear communication with regular hirers to introduce the new system.
The Impact: Increased efficiency, income, and engagement
Since implementing Sharesy, Holy Trinity has seen several benefits:
- Increased one-off bookings – even securing a booking as far in advance as January 2026.
- Improved relationships with regular hirers – ensuring upfront payments and reducing lost income from missed cancellations.
- Reinvesting time and funds – the team redesigned a former parish office into a new hireable space, improving facilities for the community.
- The ability to oversee bookings quickly and efficiently has allowed the team to focus on mission-driven activities, rather than administrative hurdles.
Advice for other churches considering Sharesy
Based on their experience, Caroline Plaice, churchwarden at Horfield offers the following advice:
- Engage your PCC early – provide demos and regular updates to ensure buy-in.
- Communicate with hirers in advance – let them know about the transition, the need for upfront payments, and how the new system works.
- Invest in high-quality photos – professional images make a difference in attracting new bookings.
- Reassess pricing – implementing Sharesy is a natural time to review hire fees.
- Ensure a smooth transition – discuss unique booking requirements with Sharesy beforehand to avoid complications.
- Allow for a debrief period – schedule post-launch meetings to refine processes and address any concerns.
Conclusion: A worthwhile transition
Partnering with Sharesy has transformed Holy Trinity’s lettings process, increasing income, improving efficiency, and strengthening relationships with the local community. With more time to dedicate to mission and outreach, the church continues to serve as a beacon of hospitality and faith in the Diocese of Bristol.