Support and Wellbeing

In ministry we can find ourselves working alongside some complicated and vulnerable people. In this work, a minister’s own wellbeing and safety is vital, but the balance of needs can feel difficult to hold. These resources have been designed to help you make good decisions. You can also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser directly to discuss any concerns. 

Finding the Right Approach 

Personal Risk Assessment 

Lone Working Guidelines 

You can also contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser directly to discuss any concerns.

Either of the services below are happy for you to contact them to just explore whether their support might be useful now or in the future. 

Support In Ministry (SiM) 

Support in Your Ministry (SIM) provides free, confidential pastoral support for clergy, readers, churchwardens (in fact, everyone, lay and ordained, in ministry in the diocese) and their partners. Trained volunteers (Assistants) meet with Users of the scheme several times a year, offering space for reflection, encouragement, and guidance, with each session focused on the User’s needs. 

SIM complements other diocesan support services such as mentoring, counselling, and spiritual direction, helping ministers to use their gifts creatively and effectively. 

Support in Ministry (SiM) leaflet 

Counselling and Signposting 

The Diocesan Counselling service offer general advice on counselling and mental health issues to any church member in the Diocese. This can be an invaluable first step to exploring what support and help you need.

This booklet seeks to provide guidance and support for the wellbeing of everyone in ministry. As well as advice and resources, the booklet contains some self-assessment questionnaires which can be downloaded separately. 

Flourishing in Ministry Booklet 

More than ever, effective ministry relies on positive relationships across all people in a ministry – lay, ordained, volunteers, and paid staff. Flourishing together can be easier said than done though, and there are resources to help. 

Dispute Advisory Service 

The Dispute Advisory Service exists to equip you to face conflict and transform relationships, as well as accompanying you through conflict on the journey towards resolution. It is for anyone in a church community: clergy or lay, employed, a volunteer or a congregational member.  

Transforming Conversations Course 

This course is run by 3D coaching. The Transforming Conversations course enables participants to have better conversations in ministry; help others to have lightbulb moments; have clearer outcomes from conversations; and equip others to be clear about next steps. The course runs most years in the Diocese. To enquire about a space contact Julie Cirillo.

Counselling 

A professional, confidential counselling service for all clergy and/or spouses, civil partners and older children. The service provides individual and couple counselling offering one off consultations, short term focused counselling, weekly sessions for up to one year and supervision sessions. The team can also offer general advice on counselling and mental health issues to any church member in the Diocese.’ 

Support for spouses and partners of clergy on marriage breakdown

Both the Clergy Counselling Service and Support in Your Ministry (SIM) schemes are available to spouses and partners of clergy.

Please see the Church of England policy and guidance for the care of spouses and partners of divorced and separated clergy here.

In the sad case of the breakdown of the marriage of a member of the Clergy, the Diocese can refer the non clergy partner to one of its Bishops’ Visitors for pastoral support. In the first instance, the partner is invited to contact the Chaplain to the Bishop of St Albans, via email or phone: 01727 229076.

They may also contact the organisation Broken Rites.

Ministry Accompaniment 

There are times in ministry when it can be valuable to seek focused support in navigating particular challenges or opportunities. Ministry accompaniment can be arranged on an individual basis for clergy.

Supervision 

Our Counselling service is also able to provide supervision to clergy, helping the minister concerned to reflect on their own feelings, thoughts, behaviour and general approach in ministry and particularly in pastoral work. 

Support for Women in Ministry 

There are specific issues and situations that can impact female clergy. The Dean and Assistant Dean of Women’s Ministry offer support to ordained women, and to those in the process of discernment and training. They can be a source of advocacy, mentoring, advice and pastoral care, to help ensuring the flourishing of all women in ministry.

Contact Lucy Davis, Dean of Women’s Ministry.

Grants 

You may know what you need and cannot see it listed on this page. There are various grants available for training, study, and support that can enable clergy to access the resources they need. 

The Diocesan Wellbeing group works for the improved wellbeing of our ministers – lay and ordained. The group organises two annual wellbeing surveys, reflects on the results, and recommends change. It is chaired the Revd Canon Will Gibbs and has representatives across all those who provide wellbeing support to ministers – for more information contact the MMDR and Clergy Wellbeing Administrator.

For further support outside of the Diocese, St Luke’s for Clergy Wellbeing helps clergy and their families with their psychological wellbeing and mental health.