St Mary's Parish Church takes the welfare of all people seriously. It is is committed to:

The care, nurture of, and respectful pastoral ministry with, all children, young people and adults.
The safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and adults.
Being a safe and caring community which provides a loving environment where victims of abuse can report or disclose abuse and where they can find support and best practice that contributes to the prevention of abuse.

The Parochial Church Council has adopted the national Church of England House of Bishops’ policy, ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ – details of which can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/policy-practice-guidance

If you have a safeguarding concern, suspect or want to report abuse within the Church please contact either our safeguarding officer or the diocesan safeguarding advisor, both details are below.
Advice can be sought from the following download leaflet 'You Will Be Listened To'

The Diocese of Newcastle’s Safeguarding policies and procedures, together with national Church of England documents relating to Safeguarding, can be viewed on the Diocesan website: www.newcastle.anglican.org

The Parish's Safeguarding Officer is Mark Fleeson who may be contacted at church or by email [email protected]

The Diocese's Safeguarding Caseworker is Jill Thirlaway who can be contacted by email [email protected]

Interim safeguarding contacts
Please direct safeguarding enquiries to the archdeacons:
The Venerable Catherine Sourbut Groves: 07436 220 872 / [email protected]
The Venerable Rachel Wood: 07469 950 198 / [email protected]

If you suspect that a child or adult may be in danger, please contact the police immediately.