Safeguarding

Making our churches a safer space

If you need support or to report a safeguarding concern or to read our policies

Paper people surrounded by hands in gesture of protection

Keeping everyone safe lies at the heart of everything we do

Safeguarding is embedded in our culture at the OVMC and we take our responsibilities very seriously. Our policies and procedures are robust and very much owned by every church in the Mission Community.

If you have a safeguarding concern

If you are visiting the Safeguarding section of our website to report a safeguarding concern, please do not delay in your response. If there is an immediate risk of harm to an individual you should DIAL 999 and report your concern to the police, otherwise please call your local safeguarding officer or one of the diocesan safeguarding advisors below.

Diocesan Safeguarding Advisors

  • Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor

    Costa Nassaris

    01392 294969

    07809 339501

  • Assistant Safeguarding Advisor

    James May

    01392 345910

    07889 542646

  • Assistant Safeguarding Advisor

    Rebecca Lane

    01392 294975

    07889 542640

Local Safeguarding Officers

  • Alfington

    Mell Kaye

    07768 725380

  • Colaton Raleigh

    Martin Marshall

    07796 993597

  • Escot

    Judy Davis

    01404 812739

  • Feniton

    Vicky Jennings-Sanders

    07967 442595

  • Harpford

    Rev. Mark Ward

    01404 814282

  • Newton Poppleford

    Rev. Mark Ward

    01404 814282

  • Ottery St Mary

    Mell Kaye

    07768 725380

  • Payhembury

    Pat Fowler

    01404 841646

  • Tipton St John

    Jenny Parkin

    01404 811720

  • Venn Ottery

    Jenny Parkin

    01404 811720

  • West Hill

    Sue Ritchie

    01404 814811

  • Wiggaton

    Mell Kaye

    07768 725380

If you have or are experiencing abuse

There are specific organisations available to help, depending on the nature of the abuse. Help and support is there whether the abuse is current or historic.

Our safeguarding commitments to you

An image of a church roof with children, adults and disabled people underneath signifying safeguarding
  • We commit to noticing people: you may not be able to express things in words, but you may show by behaviour that you are in need;

  • We commit to providing a place to talk that feels safe;

  • If you want to talk, we commit to listening not just hearing;

  • We won’t put words into your mouth, your experiences need to be told in your own words;

  • We commit to showing you respect;

  • We commit to showing compassion; and

  • We commit to making our church as safe as we can: emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Safeguarding policies and procedures

Prayer

Dear God,

We pray for all those who have suffered hurt and harm within the family of the Church;

whether they are known to us or not, we know that you know them by name.

For those who feel trapped, grant them a way of escape.

For those in pain, bring comfort and healing,

For those who seek justice, may they have courage and strength.

As a Church may we learn and change,

and as a Church may we be repentant of processes that have added complexity and not brought clarity.

Give us all humility, for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Amen

An image of holding hands