“Most of the time at church we are like a big happy family. However even in very happy families people can have a bad day and even people we know and trust can upset us. We want to help everyone have good days all of the time. We try to make sure that people who have jobs in the church always behave well and in a way that is helpful to you. We never want anyone or anything in church to frighten you, confuse you or worry you. It is important that you tell us if something is upsetting you or if you are feeling worried about something that’s happening or something somebody is doing. We have specially trained people who you can talk to and who you can ask for help. These people are good at safeguarding. This means they look after everyone’s safety. Caring for people is a very important part of our Christian life.

The people who can help you are the rural dean or the parish safeguarding officer. You can contact the safeguarding officer Mrs Lesley Thornes. Telephone: 07825 293389. E-mail: [email protected]

If you wish to speak to someone outside the church you can contact the diocesan safeguarding team - their contact details are available here: https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/safeguarding-overview. The Diocese of Lincoln has a team of professionally qualified and dedicated safeguarding professionals who provide specialist advice, confidential support to parishes and to individuals, approved safeguarding training, qualified risk assessment and support to allegations management processes across the whole diocese.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team consists of:

Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: 01522 50 40 81/07712 321 361

Deputy Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser: 01522 50 40 80/07432 522 412

Safeguarding Support Case Worker: 01522 50 40 79

Safeguarding Team Administrator: 01522 50 40 68

Serious safeguarding issues should be reported immediately to Lincolnshire Police, or the Lincolnshire County Council Social Services safeguarding staff.

Copies of the safeguarding policies to which we strictly adhere at St Mary's can be found at the rear of church.

The Diocese of Lincoln website has a safeguarding section at https://https://www.lincoln.anglican.org/pages/category/safeguarding

There is also information there about other places from where you can get help or advice.

Find out more here....