The first Diocesan Safeguarding Conference took place on Saturday 20 September 2025 at Telford Minster with well over 100 Parish Safeguarding Officers, other interested folk from parishes, presenters and members of the diocesan safeguarding team and scrutiny panel.
They spent the day sharing good practice, getting answers from the safeguarding and admin teams and learning from amazing speakers as well as meeting peers facing the same issues and challenges in this vital but unsung role in all our church communities.
Resources from the day
Video 1 includes:
- Opening worship - The Ven Dr Megan Smith
- Introduction and Welcome - Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield and Sam Rushon, Diocesan Secretary
- Keynote address - What is Trauma? Who does this happen to and what does it look like? - Jo Douglas. Intoduced by Liz Jermy, chair of Lichfield Diocese Safeguarding Scrutiny Panel
- 'How can we become a trauma informed, safer space, church community?' - part two of Jo Douglas' keynote address
Video 2 includes:
- Dementia – safeguarding and managing risk - Sarah Thorpe, Dementia-friendly Churches/Schools enabler, Lichfield Diocese
- Q & A session - chaired by Sam Rushton
- Conclusion and Reflection - Bishop Michael
Powerpoints / handouts are now available from:
- Jo Douglas
- Sarah Thorpe
Illuminate Books provided a bookstall, and there were stands from Safe Spaces, Thirty-One eight, Samaritans, and Angels Creative Project.
