A special service will celebrate the scores of volunteers who support safeguarding in our churches.

Invitations have been issued to more than 140 Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) to attend the service at Carlisle Cathedral on Sunday 13 October at 3pm. The Acting Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, will preside and preach at the Service of Thanksgiving.

Bishop Rob said: “We are thrilled to be holding this service for the first time. It is important that as a Diocese we formally recognize the wonderful work of so many volunteers across the county who are steadfast in their commitment to making church a safer place for all. Huge thanks go to every Parish Safeguarding Officer for the time, effort and dedication they channel into these roles. Theirs is not an easy task and I would ask that people continue to hold in prayer both them and their work.”

PSOs are a key link between the Diocese and their parishes, concerning safeguarding matters and they work closely with the central safeguarding team. They work closely, too, with clergy and Parochial Church Council members to ensure safeguarding protocols and procedures are adhered to locally in line with the House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy.

Invitations to the service have also been sent to all clergy and the Bishop’s Leadership Team, as well as Diocesan safeguarding staff, the Regional Safeguarding Lead and Allan Harder, the Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel.

Allison Lee has been a PSO at St Paul’s Holme Eden, to the east of Carlisle, for eight years and has just stepped down from the role as she continues to train for ordination.

She said: “I think it’s a lovely idea to have a Service of Thanksgiving recognizing this work. It’s been an honour and privilege to serve as PSO in my local parish, but it does not come without its pressures. I very much look forward to attending the Cathedral service to give thanks as part of this collective worship.”

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Jo Van Lachterop, who is helping organize the event, added: “It will be great to see as many of my PSO colleagues as possible at the service.They provide the foundations for safeguarding across our diocese, and I am so grateful to them all for ensuring any victims and / or survivors of abuse have someone they can seek help from at a local level.The support they offer to the diocese safeguarding team, and their local communities, is invaluable and I am delighted that this service will provide recognition for the commitment they give on a daily basis to create a healthy safeguarding culture within our churches.”

Places for the service can be booked here with a request to reserve seats by Friday 4 October.

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.