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THE PARISH OF RURAL AINSTY
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

 

 

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 11th January 2023
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, our church is committed to: 
 
·       Promoting a safer environment and culture.
·       Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people, and vulnerable adults within the church.
·       Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
·       Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
·       Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
·       Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
 
The Parish will:  
·       Create a safe and caring place for all.
·       Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
·       Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
·       Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
·       Display on church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
·       Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
·       Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
·       Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
·       Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties. 
·       Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
·       Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
 
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints Mike Cross as the Parish Safeguarding Officer 

Glenys
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Planning your Visit

Visiting a new church can be daunting, so we aim to make your experience as easy and welcoming as possible. Here's everything you need to know to feel confident and relaxed about your first visit:


Where and When

Our Sunday services take place in the six churches in our parish.

  • 1st Sunday: Hessay Chapel at 9:30 am, All Saints Wighill Communion Service at 10:00 am
  • 2nd Sunday: All Saints Moor Monkton at 10:00 am, St Helen’s Bilton BCP at 11:30 am
  • 3rd Sunday: St John the Baptist Hessay at 10:00 am
  • 4th Sunday: St John the Baptist Healaugh at 10:00 am
  • 5th Sunday (4 times a year): St Helen’s Church, Bilton in Ainsty


For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early. This allows one of our friendly team members to greet you, answer any questions, and help you feel at home.

If you're attending a Breakfast Service, arrive from 9:30 am to enjoy a complimentary light breakfast. For all other services, tea, coffee, biscuits, and homemade cakes are served after the service. This is a great chance to meet people, chat, or simply take a moment to relax and get your bearings. All refreshments are free, and you're welcome to join us whether you're a regular churchgoer or just curious about exploring faith.


What to Expect During the Service

Our main services begin at 10 am, and each starts with a warm welcome from one of our team. We aim to create an environment that is friendly, comfortable, and open to everyone.

Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect:

  • Duration: Most services last about an hour.
  • Style: Services include a mix of hymns, prayers, and a message designed to encourage and inspire.
  • Children: We warmly welcome children of all ages.  Feel free to ask about what’s available for your child during your visit.
  • Accessibility: Our buildings are equipped with ramps and accessible seating. If you have any specific needs, let us know in advance or speak to one of our team members when you arrive.

If you're unsure about anything – from where to sit to what to say during the service – don't worry! Just follow along or simply observe; there's no pressure to do anything you're uncomfortable with.

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After the Service

Stick around after the service to enjoy refreshments and chat with others. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, ask questions, or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Whether you’re new to faith or simply exploring, we’re here to make your visit as welcoming and relaxed as possible. If you have any concerns or specific questions before your visit, please feel free to contact us – we’d love to hear from you!

 


 

Getting Connected


Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together, and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. 

 
Get in touch with us to plan your visit
If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.
 
Name:
Telephone:
Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.
 

Leadership 

Tony Holmes, Church Warden, Bilton in Ainsty   Priscilla Smith Church Warden, Healaugh
Janice Quinn, Church Warden, Wighill    
Kathryn Wright, Church Warden, Hessay and Moor Monkton    
 
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Leadership Team