8 November 2024: the response of the Bishop of Bath and Wells and the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager to the recently published Makin report can be read here.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
At St James we take our safeguarding responsibility VERY seriously and we follow the safeguarding policy of the Church of England and the Diocese of Bath and Wells. In our church community our aims is to make our activities safe for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to ensure that all our members are cared for and respected.
If you have a concern over ANY issue with regards to this, please feel free to contact our Safeguarding Officer, who is:
Jenny Wakefield
07796248369
or via the Church Office or the Vicar, Revd Fabian Wuyts on 01823 333194.
if it is a matter concerning immediate risk to a Child Young Person or Vulnerable Adult you should contact the Police on 999 or 101 or the Local Authority Social Care Service on 0300 123 2224 (out of hours 0300 123 23 27 (children) / 01823 368244 (Adults and Mental Health).
The Diocesan Safeguarding Manager is Ben Goodhind and he can be contacted on 01749 588917, email ben.goodhind@bathwells.anglican.org
Details of the Diocesan Safeguarding team can be found on https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/diocese/safeguarding
Other support organisations
Safe Spaces is an independent and confidential support service for adults who have been abused by someone in the Church. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can support you. Call our free helpline 0300 303 1056 or email safespaces@firstlight.org.uk. Opening hours Mon- Fri- 9am-9pm, Sat- 9am-1pm, Sun- 1pm-5pm.
The following organisations can also provide support for those suffering abuse:
Childline 0800 1111 (for children)
NSPCC (call Childline)
Silverline 0800 4 70 80 90 (for older people)
Family Lives (formerly Parentline) 0800 800 2222
Somerset Domestic Abuse Service 0800 69 49 999
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 200 0247
Action On Elder Abuse: 0808 808 8141
The Survivors Trust 0808 801 0818
Stop it Now 0808 1000 900
Samaritans 116 123 (free)
Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS) 08088 01 03 40
Survivors Voices
Survivors Network
Further information and support services for Victims and survivors can be found on the church of England website here
Our Safeguarding Policy and other useful documents
The links below can be used to view Safeguarding Policy Information from the Church of England, the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and our own Safeguarding Policy
St James Church Safeguarding Policy
Promoting a Safer Church – Church of England Safeguarding Policy