Parish of Christ Church, West Wimbledon

Safeguarding policy promoting a safer church

The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 17/03/2025.

The Safeguarding Policy has been written in accordance with the Diocese of Southwark Safeguarding policies, procedures and guidelines contained in the manual called A Safe Church, which can be accessed under ‘Safeguarding’ at the Diocese of Southwark website: www.southwarkanglican.org. There is a hard copy of ‘A Safe Church’ in the Church Vestry.

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, our church is committed to:

  • promoting a safe environment and culture
  • safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church
  • responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation
  • caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons
  • caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons
  • responding to those who may pose a present risk to others.

The parish will:

  • create a safe and caring place for all
  • have named Parish Safeguarding Officers (PSOs) to work with the Vicar and the PCC to implement policy and procedures
  • safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse
  • ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish
  • display on church premises and on the parish website the details of whom to contact with safeguarding concerns or support needs
  • listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse
  • take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops’ guidance, including immediately notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies
  • offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred
  • care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties
  • ensure that the parish policy and procedures are observed by commercial hirers of parish premises, in particular the hall
  • ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually
  • review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practice at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this church.

This church appoints Jenny Tomlinson and Jane Simpson as the Parish Safeguarding Officers.

Vicar: The Reverend Lotwina Farodoye

Churchwarden: Tish Mousell

All forms of domestic abuse are wrong and must stop. We are committed to promoting and supporting environments which:

  • ensure that all people feel welcomed, respected and safe from abuse
  • protect those vulnerable to domestic abuse from actual or potential harm
  • recognise equality amongst people and within relationships
  • enable and encourage concerns to be raised and responded to appropriately and consistently.

We recognise that:

  • all forms of domestic abuse cause damage to the survivor and express an imbalance of power in the relationship
  • all survivors (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • domestic abuse can occur in all communities
  • domestic abuse may be a single incident but is usually a systematic, repeated pattern which escalates in severity and frequency
  • domestic abuse, if witnessed or overheard by a child, is a form of abuse by the perpetrator of the abusive behaviour
  • working in partnership with children, adults and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of any child or adult suffering abuse.

We will endeavour to respond to domestic abuse by:

  • in all our activities —
    • valuing, listening to and respecting both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse
  • in our publicity —
    • raising awareness about other agencies, support services, resources and expertise, through providing information in public and women-only areas of relevance to survivors, children and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse
  • when concerns are raised —
    • ensuring that those who have experienced abuse can find safety and informed help
    • working with the appropriate statutory bodies during an investigation into domestic abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community
  • in our care —
    • ensuring that informed and appropriate pastoral care is offered to any child, young person or adult who has suffered abuse
    • identifying and outlining the appropriate relationship of those with pastoral care responsibilities with both survivors and alleged or known perpetrators of domestic abuse.

If you have any concerns or need to talk to anyone, please contact:

The Reverend Lotwina Farodoye (Vicar) , or Jenny Tomlinson and/or Jane Simpson (PSOs)

What you should do if you suspect a child or a vulnerable adult is being abused

1. Record the facts as known to you – Including when and where conversations took place as well as what was said ,and being careful to distinguish facts from allegations and opinions.

2.  Speak to one of the Parish Safeguarding Officers and / or the Vicar. They will then be in direct contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.

3. It may be, in certain exceptional circumstances, that the police need to be contacted immediately.

4. Always consider whether immediate medical attention is required.

N.B. The number children can ring if someone has harmed them or they think someone might be going to harm them is: Childline on 0800 1111

Family Lives (previously Parentline) 0808 800 2222

What you should do if a child or vulnerable adult tells you something which suggests they have been abused

1.  Listen to them rather than asking direct questions or pressing for details.

2.  Do not stop them while they are freely recalling significant events.

3.  Reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling someone (they may have been threatened, told to keep what is happening secret, or told that nobody will believe them if they tell anyone ) and that they are not to blame for what has happened.

4.  Let them know that there are other people who will need to be told ( i.e. the Vicar, the Parish Safeguarding Officers ) so that they can help them.

5.  Record the facts and tell one of the Parish Safeguarding Officers or the Vicar.

6.  Do not delay or decide to give the benefit of the doubt to parents or others.

7.  Detailed enquiries must be left to the investigating agencies.

If an allegation is made against you

Inform the Parish Safeguarding Officers and the Vicar immediately. In every case the Diocese Safeguarding Adviser will also then be informed by them as soon as possible.

Contact numbers

Parish Safeguarding Officers:

Mrs Jenny Tomlinson: 020 8946 2166; 07962 669 198

Mrs Jane Simpson: 020 8540 4491; 07492 565 068

Vicar The Reverend Lotwina Farodoye: 020 3597 9750

 

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team is available Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm (except Bank Holidays) and can be contacted for advice and support on 020 7939 9441 or safeguarding@southwark.anglican.org

 

Emergencies

If you suspect you or someone else is at risk of immediate harm telephone the police on 999.

For urgent safeguarding advice outside of office hours contact your local social services. The out of hours number for Merton is 020 8770 5000

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Brownies (ages 7 - 10)

The 12 th Wimbledon Brownies meet on Wednesdays at the Scout Hut on the corner of Cottenham Park Road and Oakwood Road. We welcome all girls aged 7-10 from all schools and all denominations but those who live locally and those who attend Christ Church are particularly welcome. Contact is Elisabeth Bingham ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk

Guides (ages 10 - 14)

The 12th Wimbledon Guides meet on Tuesday evenings, at the Scout Hut on the corner of Cottenham Park Road and Oakwood Road. We welcome all girls aged 10-14 from all schools and all denominations regardless of whether or not they have been Brownies. Please contact us. Contact Nicolette Ewers ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk

Kung-fu hamsters - youth group (ages 10+)

This runs on Friday evenings – roughly once a month during term time and we have a variety of activities. We sometimes go bowling, we play rounders in the Summer, we have an institution called ‘Hamster Chef’ (loosely based on MasterChef!) and we have at least one ‘Eco’ evening per year. There is a lot of fun all round.

Senior church (ages 10+)

Senior church is more of a discussion session and is more philosophical. Generally, we share the learning with the congregation afterwards, and sometimes the group even write and perform a play for all to see.

Junior church (ages 4 - 10)

This runs during term time, every Sunday – apart from the first Sunday of the month when we have our All-Age Celebration service. We use as a guide the teaching programmes set out in the “Roots” publications, which suggests activities that will reflect the Gospel reading for the day, so we are thinking and reflecting on the same issues as the main congregation. The sessions will usually start with a game to warm up and introduce the theme of the day, followed by reading a simplified story version of the gospel reading. We will then go on to the main activity, which could be creative art-work, model making, drama, cooking, treasure hunts, gardening or problem solving games. We are also thinking of ways we can encourage the children to become involved in the Eco Church

Bereavement group

Raynes Park Bereavement was set up by Christ Church as part of its outreach programme in 2014. There are 12 volunteers who meet with people who have been bereaved on a one-to- one basis. The service receives most of its referrals (about 60 per year) from local GP surgeries. If you (or anyone you know who lives in the area) would like to make use of our service, please call 07914 263420 or email raynesparkbereavement@gmail.com

Clergy, Readers, Wardens & the PCC​

Vicar

The Reverend Lotwina Farodoye 
ccww.vicar@gmail.com

 

Church Wardens

Two people elected represent the congregation.
Tish Mousell ccww.churchwarden1@gmail.com
There is a vacancy for a second Warden

 

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) 2024-2025

 

Elected to serve until May 2025

Stefan Bown

 

Elected to serve until May 2025

Jane Simpson
John Davey (Hon Treasurer)
Ron Barnett
Sally Edmunds

Felicity Banks
(ex-officio Reader)

 

Elected to serve until May 2026

Lynda Coleman

Sarah Hannaford

Chris Larkman

 

Elected to serve until May 2027

Chica Nwokoye*

Julie Grainger*

Julie Ashbee*

Ian Christie* 

Debbie Morley (Hon Secretary)*

 

Merton Deanery Synod Members 2017-2026 
(Ex officio on PCC)
Pat Spencer

Mair Rabagliati

*Eligible to stand for a further 3-year term

What this generosity means to Christ Church?

Our stall is open every Sunday run by members of the congregation.

 

Fair Trade is business with a commitment to justice for the world’s poor. Fair Trade is based on long-term partnerships with producers in the global south, guaranteeing suppliers a fair price for their products so that they can earn enough to support their families and communities.

 

Traidcraft run programmes in developing countries, supporting poor and vulnerable people to get a better deal from trade. They often focus on small, marginalised groups, creating long term partnerships and they also campaign to transform the way trade works.
For a wider range of products there is a Traidcraft catalogue and you can also order online at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

order online

What this generosity means to Christ Church?

We have special collections throughout the year and there are specific charities that we donate to.

Currently we are supporting:

 

1. South London Refugee Association https://www.slr-a.org.uk

2. Church Mission Society https://churchmissionsociety.org
3. Christian Aid https://www.christianaid.org.uk
4. A Rocha Kenya https://www.arocha.or.ke
5. Children’s Society, https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk
6. Faith in Action https://www.faithinaction.co.uk
7. Christian CARE Association https://www.christiancaremerton.org.uk 

 

We also collect for emergency appeals for example we recently held a collection for Ukraine.

GIVING FORM

Hall hire

Christ Church Hall, 2a Cottenham Park Road, London, SW20 0RZ

Christ Church hall is a separate building next to the Church which was fully refurbished in 2019. The sprung wooden floor makes it an ideal venue for ballet and dance classes as well as yoga and pilates. With the modernised kitchen it is also brilliant for children’s parties. Hire rate is £35 per hour. For enquiries about hiring the hall please contact: ccsw20hall@gmail.com 

• Seats 120 (100 at table)
• Hall dimensions: approx 50ft x 30 ft / 15m x 9m excluding stage area
• Disabled access toilets
• On-site parking for 6 cars
• Wi-Fi

• New heating and air-cooling system
• Fully equipped kitchen including automatic water boiler

Funerals

We are here to help you if you would like to hold a funeral service in church for your loved one. It is not necessary for the deceased or their family to have been church goers. We can also conduct a full funeral service at a crematorium for those who live in the parish of Christ Church. It is usual for the funeral director to make direct contact with us but please contact the Parish Office 

ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk

if you have any queries.

Weddings

We are always pleased to discuss marriage with those who live in the parish of Christ Church or who can establish a Qualifying Connection with Christ Church. It may also be possible to be married at Christ Church where either or both parties have been divorced. Please contact the Parish Office at ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk to arrange a time to discuss marriage.

Confirmation

We are willing to consider preparing children to receive Holy Communion from about the age of 7-8 and subsequently we encourage young people to wait until they are at least 11-years-old before making the ‘adult’ step into church life at confirmation. Confirmation groups also run each year for adults who would like to make a commitment to church
life. Please contact the Parish Office ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk to discuss.

Baptisms

Baptisms are conducted on Sunday mornings either during the 10am service on the first Sunday of the month or at 12 noon on a convenient Sunday. We are always pleased to discuss baptism for those who live in the parish of Christ Church. Visit www.achurchnearyou.com to see if you live in the parish. Please contact the Parish Office at ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk for more details. 

Bringing Holy Communion to the housebound

Bringing Holy Communion to those who are housebound is always a deeply meaningful part of ministry. If you or someone you know is unable to attend church for a period of time due to ill health, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, for prayers, a visit, or simply a listening ear.

ccparishoffice@yahoo.co.uk