Items filtered by date: August 2025
SUPPORT SERVICE CONTACTS
Safe Spaces – 0300 303 1056 www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the Police or church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Childline (0800 1111) www.childline.org.uk
Childline gives advice and support to children who need advice and support, to whom they can share issues and problems and find a listening ear.
Derbyshire Mental Health helpline (0800 028 0077)
24 hours a day service offering support and a listening ear.
Galop (0800 999 5428) Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity
Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti abuse charity. They work with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of interpersonal abuse and violence.
MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors – 08088 01 03 40) https://macsas.org.uk
MACSAS supports women and men who have been sexually abused, as children or adults, by ministers, clergy, or others in the guise of the Church. Telephone and email support for survivors and their families.
Mankind (01823 334244) www.mankind.org.uk
Support for male survivors of domestic abuse, they provide an information, support and signposting service to men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or husband. This can range from physical violence or object throwing to abuse such as constant bullying or insults.
Mind (0300 123 3393) www.mind.org.uk
Offer support for mental health problems, signpost to local support, raise awareness of treatment options and offer an advocacy service.
NAPAC (08088 0103 31) https://napac.org.uk
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) An organisation supporting adult survivors of any form of child abuse.
Rape Crisis (08088 02 99 99) www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Rape Crisis is a national organisation with local contacts and groups, offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
Refuge (0808 2000247) Refuge – For women and children. Against domestic abuse.
Supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse offering place of safety, advice and support.
Samaritans (Derby and District - 0330 09 5717) https://www.samaritans.org
Offer a phone, email 1:1 and a self-help app to support individuals who are feeling suicidal and desperate.
Stop it now (0808 1000 900) Stop It Now! UK and Ireland | Preventing child sexual abuse
Confidential help and support, via a helpline, live chat or secure email support
Survivors Voices Survivors Voices
Offer peers support and private support groups on facebook
SV2 (01773 746 115) SV2 - Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence - Home
A local 24 Hour service supporting victims of sexual violence in Derbyshire, advice, counselling and therapy available after assessment.
The Survivors Trust (08088 01 08 18) helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org
The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK and has been providing infrastructure support to our members for the past 20 years. We have 120 member agencies based in the UK and Ireland providing information, advice, support and therapy to over 80,000 individual survivors each year. Our services work with victims and survivors of all ages, all genders, of all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, including support for partners and family members. The Survivors Trust and its members are committed to the fair treatment of people regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or physical/learning disability.
Victim support (0808 16 89 111) www.victimsupport.org.uk
Offering those effected by any crime support and advise.
LOCAL SOCIAL CARE CONTACTS:
Derby City Social Care
Childrens 01332 641172
Adults 01332 642855
Out of Hours 01332 956606
Derbyshire (Adults and Children)
Call Derbyshire 01629 533190
Out of Hours 01629 532600
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) undertook an audit of the Diocesan Safeguarding arrangements in June 2017.
The report concluded that the safeguarding team is well-resourced and well-established with experienced staff with a good skill mix, who provide sound safeguarding advice and judgments.
They were particularly impressed with the level of decision making regarding case work, and complimented the Diocese on its own self-evaluation, which highlighted realistic areas of development.
The auditors felt the Diocese was committed to learning, and were impressed that a review commissioned by the Bishop had led to the expansion of the safeguarding team, which included a new Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Committee, who in addition to a number of other roles was the Head of Public Protection for Derby Constabulary.
The world of safeguarding nationally has been experiencing a period of important and sometimes rapid change and the Diocese of Derby along with the Church of England is determined to offer a secure environment in which everyone can thrive, and which earns the confidence of all who are entrusted to its care.
The report states that the Head of HR is supportive, considered and committed and understands the importance of safeguarding. The auditors found that safeguarding operates within a clear line management structure, and a well-functioning Diocesan Office.
The auditors noted that there are strong links between the Diocese and Derby Cathedral. The DSA and safeguarding team provides training for the Cathedral, and a member of Chapter responsible for safeguarding is also a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Team.
Some areas were highlighted for further development by the Diocese.
There remains a backlog in the numbers of people who require training and although there is a plan in place it will need close monitoring by the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Committee.
Since the audit took place, a new part-time Safeguarding Training Officer has been appointed to deal with the training backlog.
The report also highlighted that work was required to develop the overall functioning of the team so that everyone gets an appropriately prompt level of service. Again, since this audit took place, a part-time Safeguarding Administrator has been recruited to deal with general administrative queries.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has been commissioned to undertake an audit of the safeguarding arrangements of each Diocese of the Church of England. The aim of these audits is to work together to understand how safeguarding is working in each Diocese, and to support the continuing improvements being made.
The audit process in each Diocese involved examination of safeguarding leadership arrangements, local policies and practice guidance, the quality of case work, recruitment and training.
The auditors also looked at the progress being made in reaching nationally agreed standards, informed by central House of Bishops’ approved policies.
An action plan has been produced and agreed by the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Committee to address findings and considerations of the report.
To read the full safeguarding audit for the Diocese of Derby, click here.
To view the Action Plan for the Diocese of Derby, developed in 2017, click here.
Your Deanery Administrators said it would be useful to have a preparation checklist, so that the responsible person(s) in each parish can pull together information and documentation before attempting to update the data - I hope this will help.
What is the Parish Giving Scheme?
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is a direct debit system set up to help parishes in the Diocese of Derby encourage and grow regular donations and is offered to all churches in the diocese free of charge.
Donations can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis by Direct Debit online, on the phone, or using a PGS gift form.
PGS manages the donation process to ensure all donations are delivered quickly and safely to the parish, and will process the gift aid on those donations meaning the parish receives regular gift aid payments each month.
A unique feature of the scheme is the option for the donor to commit in principle to increase their gift annually in line with inflation.
Whilst this is a voluntary decision, it is one that could potentially have a huge impact on the life and future of the church by tackling static giving.
See also: Giving and Generosity
Parish Giving Scheme Key Benefits
The Parish Giving Scheme is a modern and efficient way of managing planned giving to your church. Tried and tested, this scheme will:
- Improve cash flow through the efficient reclaiming of Gift Aid
- Overcome static giving with the option of donations automatically uplifted by inflation each year
- Offer an opportunity for parishes to re-engage people in thinking about their own level of financial generosity
- Reduce the time your Treasurer and Gift Aid Secretairies need to spend on administration
How does the Parish Giving Scheme work?
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) enables a planned giver to donate to any parish registered with the scheme. Donations can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. They are collected by Direct Debit on the first day of the month. The donations are then passed on to the specific parish by the tenth of the month. The Gift Aid is then remitted to the parish once the PGS office has received the money from HMRC. The timing of the Gift Aid payment will accordingly vary each month.
Here is what the process looks like. based on an example gift of £50 a month:
Managing inflation
One of the biggest challenges faced by many of our churches is that of 'static giving'. Churches like every organisation and household, are affected by inflation, eroding the value of your gifts. The Parish Giving Scheme makes it easy for doners to agree, in principle, to increase their donation in line with inflation each year.
Encourage Giving and Generosity in your parish
As well as the benefits listed above, the introduction of such a scheme offers a clear and excellent opportunity to engage people in thinking about leveles of financial generosity.
We are recommending that a Church commits to a stewardship initiative when they join the Parish Giving Scheme.
Parish Giving Scheme resources
Hard copies of all the materials below - plus the PGS Donor Direct Debit Gift Form, Parish Registration Form and PGS Token are available from:
Steve Johnson
Living Generously Advisor
steve.johnson@derby.anglican.org
07359 067631.
For Donors:
- A better way to give financially to your local church - the Parish Giving Scheme explained
- Living Generously - Giving regularly to support mission and ministry in the local church
- Frequently asked Questions by donors
For Church Leaders:
- Parish Giving Scheme Implementation Handbook for Local Churches
- 'Our Annual Review' brochure
- Parish Action List
- Stewardship - Annual Review
- Giving in Grace - Why Preaching Matters
- Frequently Asked Questions by PCCs
Other Resources
The Diocese of Liverpool "Giving in Grace" programme: www.givingingrace.org
An enormous resource for encouraging giving and stewardship. Alongside practical tools for reviewing giving, it includes theological reflections, preaching notes and Bible studies.
The Church of England's Parish Resources Website: www.parishresources.org.uk
Access to a wealth of practical resources to support the life and work of parishes.
Encouraging Giving and Stewardship: www.parishresources.org.uk/giving
Preaching and teaching on giving and stewardship; re-imagining the offertory, moving from 'collection' to 'offering', and helping to generate a sense of joyful offering in responce to God's generosity; and parish-based programmes to review giving and encouraging stewardship (including the parish Funding programme, Giving in Grace, a Simple Giving Programme for Smaller Churches, and Giving for Life).
Gift Aid: www.parishresources.org.uk/giftaid/
Factsheets about Gift Aid, the government scheme that allows parishes to relaim the tax paid on donations, including the Small Donations Scheme.
The Church Legacy website: www.churchlegacy.org.uk
Information about how to encourage individuals to remember the Church in their wills. Parishes receive over 5,000 legacies each year - gifts to finance mission projects, maintain beautiful church buildings and grow faithful communities. These gifts make a real difference to the future work of the Church - as regular giving often concentrates on maintaining the existing mission and ministry.
For further information, please contact:
Steve Johnson, Living Generously Advisor,
steve.johnson@derby.anglican.org
07359 067631.
Simply put, the review will report on what buildings we have, where they are, what state they are in and are they enabling the mission and ministry needs of the church, in the communities in which they sit.
Why are we having one?
In the words of the Chair of the DAC – ‘for our buildings to be an asset and not a burden we need to understand, manage and fully incorporate our property portfolio (Church buildings, halls, centres, etc.) into our Diocesan mission planning’. The Diocese is taking its lead from the nation churches Buildings Review Group; follow this link for Scope & Context
How will parishes be involved?
Almost all the buildings across the Diocese are either owned or managed locally with the Parochial Church Council holding the responsibility for their care. PCCs know their buildings best and understand their significance and their maintenance needs; what facilities they have and the uses to which they are put. The best outcomes for your Parish and community are very much in your gift. There will initially be a lot of information and data that the Review Group will need to pull together – some to complete a partial picture we already have and some that will paint a broader picture.
The Review Group is already in conversation with Deaneries looking at how we can minimise the impact and provide as much assistance as possible to enable parish engagement.
What will it produce?
The Strategic Buildings Review aims to deliver several positive outcomes for Parishes, Deaneries and the Diocese.
- A better understanding of what we have and what we need
- Options for sustainable ways forward in every parish
- Updated heritage and ‘church near you’ records
- Identification of ‘significant churches’ to become resource centres for mission
- Refocused tools and other resources to support parishes in making their buildings fit for mission
So, what next?
The data collection phase is the foundation of the review and will happen over the next 6 months. After that we envisage the following stages, culminating in a report for consideration by Diocesan Synod in Spring 2019
- The statistics: their accessibility and use
- Identifying the role and status of churches – categories
- Developing options and models for change – case studies
- Developing practical tools and other resources to support maintenance, insurance, faculties, fund raising and clergy training – developing resource
- Action Planning including Deanery Development Plans
Consultation will enable each stage to progress, but don’t wait to be asked – if you want information or clarification on where the review is up to or would like to make a positive suggestion or other contribution, then you can contact the core group on the following email: DDSBReview@gmail.com
Diocesan Synod ran an initial session in March, the output of which has been written up and has been informing some early discussions about Parish thinking regarding buildings and mission. Click here to download this report
Becky Clarke, Director of Cathedrals & Church Buildings Division, spoke at Synod Click here for her presentation
The national context is set out in the Church Buildings Review, which reported in January 2016. It was chaired by the Rt Reverend Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester and Chair of the Cathedral and Church Buildings Division. It gives the parameters for this diocesan strategic review. The Review states that:
What is understood by ‘open for worship’ has evolved over time depending on local contexts and will need to evolve further for some buildings over the coming years. Legislation needs to facilitate this.
More generally, the overall legislative framework governing the use and management of church buildings needs to be simpler, less prescriptive and less burdensome for laity and clergy. There needs to be more flexibility to reflect the wide diversity of local situations.
Dioceses need to integrate thinking about their church buildings with their mission and ministry planning. Regular diocesan strategic reviews, taking account of diocesan and deanery plans, mission action plans and parish audits are important for ensuring that buildings issues are given their proper weight- neither dominating nor being overlooked or regarded as a specialist subject.
Parish churches and chapels of ease - These churches provide a traditional model of ministry and are comfortable doing so, which may include innovative complementary uses as set out in Part 3, with care for the building fabric possibly passed to Trusts where appropriate. Creating chapels-of-ease within larger parishes may remove the need for multiple PCCs.
Festival Churches – References have recently been made in the Church Buildings Review and elsewhere to ‘Festival Churches’. Under Canons B 11 (Of Morning and Evening Prayer in parish churches) and the first part of B 14 (Of Holy Communion in parish churches), each parish church is required to celebrate Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Holy Communion on every Sunday (and on feast days). Canon B 14A (Of services in churches and other places of worship) empowers the Bishop to dispense with this requirement.
The Bishop, in doing so, must “ensure that no such church ceases altogether to be used for public worship”. Forthcoming changes to Canon B 14A mean that this can be expanded to a large number of churches, allowing them to have more freedom in organising services and other uses for the building as laid out in Part 3 as needed in that parish.
Mission Churches - These are churches which are identified as having potential for growth and possible expansion beyond their parish, which may need to be supported or learned from. Some of these may be designated as Resource Churches, which have a special role which may go beyond the diocesan boundaries
Major / Greater Churches - Members of the Greater Churches Network and the broader group of Major Churches recently identified by the CBC may require a higher level of attention due to their special functions, significance and potential. The CBC has recommended that all churches in this group should as a minimum compile Conservation Management Plans, with which the CBC can usually help. See ChurchCare for information on CMPs and the criteria for Major Churches.
If a church is not on the present CBC list, an application can be made to the CBC who will assess it against the criteria. If the church makes the list the CBC offers to visit the church and discuss possible ways forward.
Minsters - Although not clearly defined legally, the status of Minster can be conferred by the Bishop to allow a church building to adopt an extra- or super-parochial role beyond that of a parish church. This can be adapted to circumstances but should always be carefully considered within an overall diocesan mission plan.
New Churches - The population of the diocese is increasing and new homes are planned in existing towns and villages across the diocese. There may be occasions where a new church building should be considered.
The Revd Phil Mann, Planting Curate at Holy Trinity Brompton, Diocese of London, will be licensed as Pioneer Minister of the Derby City Bishop's Mission Order, Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday 1st August in the Bishop's Chapel, Duffield, by the Bishop of Derby. Mr Mann will be based at St Werburgh's Church, Friar Gate, Derby. The primary focus will be on young people, including students and yound professionals.
