At St Mary’s Church Eastham, the Church Centre in Eastham Rake and at St Peter’s Chapel we have a robust and thorough approach to safeguarding. We work hard to maintain a safe environment for all.
As a church we have rigorous safeguarding policies and procedures which we follow to ensure the safety of all children and adults involved in church life and those visiting us.
We are committed to implementing the House of Bishops’ safeguarding policies and good practice guidance. Our safeguarding policy is below.
Parish Safeguarding Policy Statement
The care and protection of children, young people and adults involved in Church activities is the responsibility of everyone who participates in the life of the Church.
Our Commitments
- Promoting a safer environment and culture
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children and vulnerable adults
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse or other affected persons
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns/allegations of abuse and other affected persons
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk.
We have adopted and implemented The House of Bishops’ Safeguarding Policy ‘Promoting a Safer Church’. You can find out more about these national policies and procedures at https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2019-10/ParishSafeGuardingHandBookAugust2019Web.pdf
If you have any safeguarding concerns or issues of a safeguarding matter then you can find useful contact information at https://www.chester.anglican.org/support-services/safeguarding/safeguarding-7485.php
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be contacted at:
safeguarding@chester.anglican.org or on 01928 718834 (option 4)
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from a Safeguarding Adviser or, if necessary, report the matter to the Local Authority Social Care Services or the Police without delay.
Helplines
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
- Childline: 0800 1111
- Stop It Now: 0808 1000 900
- Cruse (bereavement helpline): 0808 808 1677
- NAPAC: 0808 801 0331
- MACSAS (for people abused by church officers): 0808 801 0340
- Samaritans: 116 123
- Family Lives: 0808 800 2222
- National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
- Action On Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141
If you would like to speak to someone from this parish about a safeguarding issue at the moment please contact our Vicar Beth Glover, beth.stmarys@gmail.com or contact our appointed Parish Safeguarding Officer Nikki Matthews pso.stmaryseastham@gmail.com
Beware of Fraud
There are professional fraudsters targeting people in Eastham and Bromborough at the moment.
In Eastham a few people have been taken in and have handed over money for spurious jobs, lagging, roofing, structural work, updating kitchens and bathrooms and gardening work. They ask for money up front sometimes and never return. Or they do the work, take the money but the work is damaged or not fit for purpose. Please do not open the door to anyone you do not know or who you are not expecting.
If you are worried, please tell your family, or someone in our Church or even the Citizens Advice Bureau. There is help out there, so do not be too worried, just very aware.
Look after each other as well. If someone has tried it with you, let your neighbours know
Angels are hovering over us all!
Much love and peace,
Vicar Beth