Fully Funded Mental Health First Aid Training for Clergy - July & Nov 2025
Following the great feedback we received from previous events, the clergy wellbeing advisory group have organised two more fully funded Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training events which are free for clergy to attend. These will take place on the following dates:
Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July 2025 – St Barnabas Centre, Danesmoor.
Wednesday 26th November & Thursday 27th November 2025 – Online Event.
Both events will run from 9am – 5pm, and delegates will need to attend on both days at their chosen venue. If you are attending the in-person event at The Barnabas Centre, lunch and refreshments will be provided.
These two-day training events are fully funded by the Clergy Support Trust and accredited by Mental Health First Aid England. They seek to equip participants with a practical framework for supporting those experiencing mental health concerns. Grounded in research, and developed with clinical practitioners, MHFA is designed to enhance participants' knowledge and confidence in how best to help others, whilst also looking after their own wellbeing. Within a church context, this programme can help participants reflect afresh on their theology of suffering, healing, and recovery. A copy of the programme is attached to this email.
All participants will receive a 100-page printed workbook, and access to digital resources for up to three years post-training, including the MHFA App which provides 24/7 digital support.
Places for these events are limited. If you would like to attend, please book your place as soon as possible using the link below:
Mental Health First Aid Training Booking Form
If you ave any questions at all, please contact Julie Fowler - julie.fowler@derby.anglican.org or 01332 278172.
Pre-Retirement Course for Clergy and Spouses/Partners
The Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham are holding an online pre-retirement course, taking place over two mornings on Wednesday 21st May and Thursday 22nd May, and clergy from the Diocese of Derby are invited to attend.
This free to attend online course is aimed at clergy who are coming up to retirement age and will provide helpful information and advice. It is run in conjunction with the Nottingham & District Pre-Retirement Council and will include representatives from the Church of England Pensions Board, as well as a panel of local recently retired clergy sharing their own experiences. Clergy are encouraged to attend with their spouses/partners.
For further information and to book a place, please follow the link below:
https://learning.southwell.anglican.org/resources/pre-retirement-course-2025/
If you have any questions, or problems using the booking link, please contact Julie Fowler on 01332 278172 or Julie.fowler@derby.anglican.org
Sheldon Hub
The Sheldon Hub is a safe place for people in ministry to meet, share and support each other. It is secure and free to use. It offers a directory of resources as well as an independent community.
To access the Sheldon Hub go to sheldonhub.org or click HERE.
‘How Clergy Thrive’
‘How Clergy Thrive’ is an excellent resource which looks at ways clergy can look after their wellbeing, including vocationally specific research, guidance, and help.
You can download a copy of this book and accompanying worksheets here: Living Ministry Resources | The Church of England
Wellbeing snapshot: The Wellbeing Map
The Living Ministry Wellbeing Map is a useful tool that you could use on your own or with others, maybe every six months or so.
It might re-assure, it might indicate a need for further support or input and help you target specific things.
Take some ‘Time out’
Please feel free to use any of these resources if you find yourself in need of a quiet space and something to help you reflect.
Sometimes the last thing we feel we can do is take ‘Time Out’. However, it is often one of the most helpful things to do. We suggest the following to make it more likely to happen:
- Decide when your ‘Time Out’ will be and how long it will last.
- Mark that time and space in your diary so that it stands along-side meetings and other commitments as equally important allocated time.
- Resist the temptation to move it, shorten it, delete it all together as other demands are made on you and your time.
