It’s not always easy to maintain good patterns of work and rest, exercise and refreshment when you’re serving in ministry. We hope that these links and resources will be helpful for those who would appreciate some additional support.
Support for clergy
All clergy are entitled to wellbeing support – and there are lots of resources available for clergy to access. If you’re unsure where to start, or would like to access counselling or psychotherapy provision via Southwark Diocese, please contact our Dean of Clergy Well-being, Leanne Roberts, who will treat any conversations as confidential.
The services and resources below should be seen and interpreted not as entitlements but as good ways of supporting wellbeing. Clergy entitlements to rest periods and leave are outlined in individual statements of particulars. All clergy in our diocese are encouraged to take regular time off and holiday breaks for the benefit of their health.
- Counselling & psychotherapy
The Diocese will fund a limited number of sessions of counselling or psychotherapy for all its clergy (including SSMs). Contact Leanne for more details and to discuss your needs. - Nine in Twelve
A chance to step aside from the demands of your ‘to do’ list and to draw breath in a supportive and nourishing series of mini-retreats. - Hub of Hope
The UK’s largest mental health support directory. Whether you want to find a service to help you feel better or you want to support someone who is struggling, this is a good place to start. - Broken Rites
Support and information for divorced and separated spouses and partners of clergy. - Money Advice Trust
A national charity working to prevent financial difficulty and remove problem debt from people’s lives. - The Church of England Pensions Board
Has a section on the C of E website about how clergy pensions work and where to find further advice. - Churches Mutual Credit Union
A co-operative and mutual society offering a range of affordable and ethical savings and loan products designed with clergy in mind.
Grant-making bodies that support clergy
- Clergy Support Trust
The largest, oldest charity supporting Anglican clergy – training, serving and retired – and their families across the UK, Ireland and Europe. - Gilmore Grants
Grants for women in ministry to support learning, development and retreats. Contact Dean of Women’s Ministry, Esther Foss, for more information. - Francis Ashton Charity
Provides one-off grants to serving or retired clergy of the Church of England and to their widows and widowers in cases where there is an exception or urgent need. - Henry Smith Foundation
A programme supports initiatives that promotes Anglican clergy wellbeing. - St Boniface Trust
Supports welfare education and training for clergy and lay people. - The Cleaver Ordination Candidates Fund
Supports Anglican ordinands committed to a traditional Catholic understanding of the priesthood, and offers grants for those exploring priesthood. - The English Clergy Association
Provides holiday grants to give clergy and their families a rest from duty. - The Foundation of Edward Storey
Offers help, grants and accommodation for those closely connected with the clergy of the Church of England. - Ordinands’ Association
Website lists several funds that can help ordinands in financial need. - Turn2us
A charitable service helping people access money available to them through welfare, benefits, grants and other help. - Elizabeth Finn Trust
May provide grants to those facing hardship and savings of under £16,000 or help with nursing home fees.
Support for lay ministers
We very much hope that the relationship between a parish’s incumbent and lay ministers is one which helps the lay minister care for their wellbeing. For Licensed Lay Ministers, working agreements (which are reviewed annually) should help to balance the demands of ministry and their work and home life and regular meetings between incumbent and lay minister should further help with this.
The Diocesan Warden of Readers and the Area Wardens are in regular contact with Readers across our diocese. If they are made aware of any needs for further training or coaching or counselling they would direct the Reader to the Director of Discipleship, Lay Ministry and Continuing Ministerial Education or the Assistant Director for Lay Ministry. Help is offered on a case by case basis.
There are regular Area meetings for Readers and regular training sessions run as part of the Discipleship and Lay Ministry training offer. The Assistant Director of Lay Ministry is in regular contact with the other LLMs (Pioneer and Children and Youth ministers) they are also in regular contact with those in the Mission Team responsible for their ministries. The Lead for Pastoral Lay Ministry is in regular contact with the Licensed Pastoral Lay Ministers (LPLMs). They, too, would refer any needs to the Director or Assistant Director.
- Money Advice Trust
A national charity working to prevent financial difficulty and remove problem debt from people’s lives. - Hub of Hope
The UK’s largest mental health support directory. Whether you want to find a service to help you feel better or you want to support someone who is struggling, this is a good place to start.
Grant-making bodies
- St Boniface Trust
Supports welfare education and training for clergy and lay people
- Turn2us
A charitable service helping people access money available to them through welfare, benefits, grants and other help
- Elizabeth Finn Trust
May provide grants to those facing hardship and savings of under £16,000 or help with nursing home fees
- Gilmore Grants
Grants for women in ministry (lay and ordained) to support learning, development and retreats. Contact Dean of Women’s Ministry, Esther Foss, for more information.
