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Emergency Contact Information

“There is no wrong way to tell people how you are feeling”

In an emergency or if you or someone is at immediate risk of harm, contact one of the following services for help:

  • Emergency Services (Police, ambulance, fire services): Call 999
  • NHS Mental Health Services including the Mental Health Access Hubs: Call 111 and select the Mental Health Option (24 hrs)
  • If it’s the middle of the night and you need to talk, or you want to speak anonymously, call the Samaritans for free on 116 123.

Support within the Diocese

Mark Rodel, Deputy Director for Mission and Ministry, is the Diocese’s lead for wellbeing and is a great starting place for a conversation on what support is available and what might be a good fit for your needs.

Mark Rodel

Deputy Director of Mission & Ministry

Deputy Director of Mission & Ministry

Email:mark.rodel@stalbansdiocese.org

Office:01727 818153

Mobile:07863 129 520

Working pattern:Full time

The Archdeacons carry pastoral responsibility for clergy, licensed ministers, and church officers. They are happy to receive direct emails and calls.

The Archdeacon of Bedford

Dave Middlebrook
The Archdeacon of Hertford

Janet Mackenzie
Archdeacon of St Albans

Charles Hudson

The Archdeacon of Bedford

Dave Middlebrook

Dave Middlebrook became Archdeacon of Bedford in March 2019. He was formerly Vicar of St Luke’s, Watford, from 2012, Dave has ministered in St Albans Diocese since his ordination in 1998, serving also in Chorleywood and Adeyfield (Hemel Hempstead).

Email:archdbed@stalbans.anglican.org

Office:01727 818 167

The Archdeacon of Hertford

Janet Mackenzie

Janet Mackenzie became Archdeacon of Hertford in September 2016 and has worked in the Diocese since her Ordination. Janet was formerly Vicar of St Augustine’s of Canterbury, Limbury and Area Dean of Luton. She also worked as an on-call Chaplain for the Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

Email:archdhert@stalbans.anglican.org

Office:01727 818159

Archdeacon of St Albans

Charles Hudson

Before ordination, Charles worked for eight years as a commercial lawyer in London. He was ordained in 2008 at St Paul’s Cathedral and served his curacy at All Souls, St Margarets near Twickenham, before moving to Broxbourne with Wormley, where he was involved in launching new worshipping communities, as well as working with local schools, children and families. He was also the Rural Dean of Cheshunt for five years

Email:archd@stalbans.anglican.org

Office:01727 818121

Ultimately the Bishops hold oversight of all of our ministries and you are welcome to get in touch. 

The Rt Revd Dr Jane Mainwaring, the Bishop of Hertford.

Bishop Jane Mainwaring
The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, the Bishop of Bedford.

Bishop Richard Atkinson

The Rt Revd Dr Jane Mainwaring, the Bishop of Hertford.

Bishop Jane Mainwaring

Bishop Jane has been Bishop of Hertford since February 2023. She served her curacy in Suffolk before moving to this diocese in 2003 to be a parish priest in Hitchin, in Hertfordshire. In 2015 she became a rural dean and then was appointed as Archdeacon of St Albans in 2020.

The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, the Bishop of Bedford.

Bishop Richard Atkinson

The Bishop of Bedford is the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson. He was consecrated on 17 May 2012 at St Paul’s Cathedral and welcomed to the Diocese in a Service at St Paul’s Church, Bedford, on 19 May 2012.

Email:bishopbedford@stalbans.anglican.org

Phone:01234 831 432

And if you don’t feel heard, please try again, try someone else maybe, but if you need support, don’t stop trying.

Concerned about someone else?

If you have concerns about a someone else in ministry, it’s generally helpful to let them know that you are worried about them and to encourage them to talk to someone about their difficulties.

It might be important for them to talk to their GP so encourage them to make an appointment. If someone is not sure about what to say to their GP, this video explains what to say, how and why. 

How to talk to your GP about your mental health | Find the Words

If you’re concerned about the wellbeing of someone in ministry, it’s OK to reach out and let their Archdeacon, or someone else on this page, know. They can reach out to someone who is struggling and offer support and advice. 

You may worry that your friend or colleague would not want you to speak to someone else about them. If they are at any risk, their safety is the most important consideration, and it is important to tell someone about your concerns. This is especially important if the person is not currently accessing professional support, if the circumstances are complex or if you feel the situation is escalating and may be affecting others.

There is also some helpful information on suicide prevention from Prevent Suicide.