Safeguarding

Making our churches a safer space

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

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

    • Vicky Jennings-Sanders

    • 07967 442595

  • 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

  • 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