Safeguarding Policy - Promoting a Safer Church

Parish of St Wilfrid and The Church of the Presentation, Haywards Heath

The following policy has been agreed by the Parochial Church Council (PCC)

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, our church is committed to:

promoting a safer environment and culture
safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church
responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
responding to those who may pose a present risk to others.

The parish will:

create a safe and caring place for all
have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO- presently Gloria Kendall) to work with the Incumbent and the PCC to
implement policy and procedures
safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse
ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish
display on church premises and on the parish website the details of whom to contact with safeguarding concerns or support needs
listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse
take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops’ guidance, including immediately notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies
offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred
care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties
ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually
review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

For further information, access our full safeguarding policy for the two churches and our safeguarding policy for hall users, both in PDF format.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor,
we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.

Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit or are new to our churches, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

When we meet in St. Wilfrid's Church (in Church Road by the Marks and Spencer Car Park) our Sunday Sung Eucharist Service starts at 9:30am. This is usually followed by coffee/tea that is served in the church, after the service. Please do come and have a chat with us and get to know us but be assured, no one will pressure to join us if you do not want to.

St-Wilfrids-interior-2007

The Presentation Church, (in New England Road) Congregation starts to meet together at 10.15am, on Sundays, for refreshments and then make their way into the church for their Sunday Eucharist Services. These are usually led by our priests, Fr Edward or Fr Mike, but sometimes visiting priests will be present. A special regular visiting priest is Fr John Twisleton a local author who live very close to the church.

If you are a visitor to either church do make yourself known. And, if you have any questions please do ask the Clergy, sidespeople or the Wardens.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the Presentation Church and in the St Wilfrid's Centenary Hall.

Our Services

Most of our services, with the exception of the second Sunday Evensong (6.00pm in St. Wilfrid's Church) and our monthly Taizé service (8.00pm third Wednesday) are Eucharistic. That includes our weekly 12.00 noon service in St. Wilfrid's. This means that the congregation is able to share in the bread and wine that become to us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Generally, we follow traditional patterns of Anglican Worship that are resourced from "Common Worship", augmented with various seasonal material.

We use the traditional Book of Common Prayer (BCP) at St Wilfrid’s Church when we celebrate Said Holy Communion (Eucharist) at 8.00am on the first Sunday of the month, and Choral Evensong at 6.00pm on the second Sunday of the month.

St. Wilfrid's has a tradition for music and our hymns led and supported by our excellent choir and the famous Tickell organ. The Presentation singing is usually supported electronically.

The +Blessed Sacrement is reserved in both churches.

Children are welcome. We were all children once so do not worry if they do not behave like the little angels that we hope they are.

Children

Getting Connected

Small Groups

These are advertised - for example before Advent and Lent

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Other Ministries

We also support the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
Foodbank
Messy Church for our younger friends

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Leadership


Father Edward		Father Mike
Fr Edward is our Parish Priest		Fr Mike assists in the Parish.