Safeguarding Season has returned to Carlisle Cathedral. The focus of this year’s Safeguarding Season will be suicide prevention and awareness reflecting on the tragic reality of suicide within the communities of Cumbria where rates of suicide are 50% higher than the national average. Through prayer, reflection, training and worship the season will seek to stand with those affected by suicide and lament, listen and learn from their experience. The two-week Season has been organised by Carlisle Cathedral, working in partnership with the Diocese of Carlisle, the University of Cumbria and LOUDfence as well as the Cumbrian based Suicide Prevention and Suicide Bereavement charity, Every Life Matters.
The Season began on Monday 10 November and will run until Friday 21 November with a special Safeguarding Sunday service at 10.30am on Sunday 16 November where the preacher will be the Revd David Newlove. The service will include a recommitment to the safeguarding pledge, set out during the first Safeguarding Season hosted in 2021. The pledge, adopted by Carlisle Cathedral Chapter, commits to:
• share responsibility for creating an environment that is safe for all.
• pray for our safeguarding leads and those working with children and adults.
• respect the boundaries that are in place to protect others.
• support those in our church who have been hurt or abused.
• provide on-going safeguarding training for all our workers.
• allow sufficient time and resources to make our recruitment of workers safer.
• maintaining an open culture where people are encouraged to share concerns.
• not take offence when challenged about our presence or behaviour.
Weekly Eucharist services, held each Wednesday at 12.30pm, will also focus on the themes of peace and justice. There will be a dedicated place of prayer in a side chapel with an opportunity to light candles and tie coloured ribbons to a prayer tree.
On Thursday 20 November, a LOUDfence installation will also be created in the Cathedral grounds, at which people will be able to publicly tie ribbons, to represent all those affected by abuse of whatever kind.
A new addition to Safeguarding Season will be the offer of free Suicide Alertness Bitesize Training led by Every Life Matters. Sessions will be delivered both in person and online and are aimed at anyone who wants to understand more about suicide, how to know when someone may be having thoughts of suicide, how to talk directly and comfortably about suicide, and what we can all do to offer practical support. More details of how to book onto these sessions are available on the Cathedral website.
The Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, said “The complexity and fragility of life sadly mean almost all people are directly affected by suicide. We are very grateful to Every Life Matters and David Newlove for their involvement in our safeguarding season. Safeguarding is both about supporting all affected and also seeking to raise awareness of all the issues involved to protect those at risk. Please be assured of our prayers in this safeguarding season for all.”
Juliet Gray, Training Manager at Every Life Matters said: “We are deeply grateful to Carlisle Cathedral and the Diocese of Carlisle for inviting us to be part of Safeguarding Season. It’s a privilege to deliver our Suicide Alertness training as part of such a compassionate and proactive partnership. Working together in faith and community spaces is vital in spreading awareness and understanding around suicide prevention — helping us all to recognise the signs, start the conversation, and offer hope and support to those who need it most.”
Emma Bales, Director of Student Services, University of Cumbria added: “With our mission to support our communities to thrive, the health and wellbeing of our staff and students is paramount to us. Throughout this Safeguarding Season, our Student Services and Chaplaincy teams are leading activities and awareness raising opportunities across our campuses and university community. These will include suicide awareness training and prayer trees similar to the one at Carlisle Cathedral.”
Anyone affected by the issues around suicide are encouraged to contact the Samaritans who are free to talk to on 116 123. Those affected by wider issues linked to safeguarding are encouraged to contact Safe Spaces: an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse.
• Tel: 0300 303 1056 (answerphone available outside of opening times)
• Email: safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk
• Web-chat – via the Safe Spaces website
