Safeguarding

Promoting a Safer Church

St. Laurence’s have adopted the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, incorporating the House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance.

Nicola Pilkington

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Nicola Pilkington and you can contact her on:
Email: safeguarding@stlaurencechorley.co.uk
Tel: 07736 312859

The Parish Safeguarding Handbook can be viewed here
The Parish Safeguarding Policy is here

A copy of all the information below can be found on Church of England's website here

We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is in various places in the Church along with relevant phone numbers and contact details.

All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training.

Reporting a concern

If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999

Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) in the first instance (Nicola Pilkington, details above).

The PSO can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as necessary.

Concerns can also be raised directly with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Safeguarding Team Contact Details

Email: safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
Tel: 01254 503088

Assistant DSA, Sophie Booth
Email: Sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org
Tel: 07468971759

DSA, Catherine Smith
Email: Catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
Tel: 07711485170

Safeguarding Trainer, Andrea Richards
Email: Andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org
Tel: 07484073146

Safeguarding Administrator, Claudia Aspey
Email: Claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org
Tel: 01254 503088

Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE

Finding support

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.

If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support.

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the church directly. Below is a list of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

Thirty-one: Eight: 0303 003 1111 (out of hours and weekend safeguarding advice)
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.
Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.
Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.
Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).

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.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

We're very glad you've found us! The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect if you come along for worship.

Our Services

Our services are mostly celebrations of the Eucharist (also called the 'mass' or 'holy communion'). This is the service going back to the time of Jesus when He took bread and wine at the Last Supper and told his disciples to do this to remember Him. Click here for more information about the Eucharist in the Church of England.

Weekends

We meet at St Laurence's Church (details here) for our family friendly Saturday Service starting at 5.00pm (with contemporary music) and on Sundays at 9am. We also have a more traditional service on Sundays at 11am.

Weekdays

We meet a number of times through the week with the Eucharist celebrated at St Laurence's as follows:

Monday 6.15pm
Tuesdays and Fridays at 12.15pm
Thursday 12.15pm (1st Thursday Healing Mass 6.15pm)

We also have a service at St Peter's on Wednesdays at 10am

Although we have no parking on site there are many car parks nearby with one directly opposite the church building.

Refreshments: We serve refreshments after the 9am and 11am services on a Sunday (and on special occasions there's hot chocolate following the Saturday 5pm service). It is a great way to meet people, or simply get to know something about us. All refreshments are free.

Also during the week our Taste Cafe is open before and after the 12.15pm midweek services - why not stay after the service and have some lunch?

Getting Connected

Church 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 the 'Church Life' section of our website and see if there’s one that you would like to join.

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.

Leadership


Fr. Neil (Rector of St. Laurence's)		Fr. Cornelius (Curate of St. Laurence's)
rector@stlaurencechorley.co.uk		cornelius@stlaurencechorley.co.uk

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home in our church.

Every blessing

Fr Neil sigature