Safeguarding Season returned to Carlisle Cathedral from 10 – 21 November. The focus of this year’s Season was 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 supported those affected by suicide and offered meaningful opportunities for staff, volunteers and members of our community to learn more.
The two-week Season was 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.
Throughout the Season, there was 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, the ribbons were moved to a LOUDfence installation within the Cathedral grounds, to offer a powerful visual representation of those affected by safeguarding matters.
This year, Suicide Alertness Bitesize Training sessions were delivered both online and in person at the Cathedral, led by Every Life Matters. The aim of the training was to advise on 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. The training offer met with popular demand, with over 250 people attending sessions.
The Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, said “Carlisle Cathedral’s “Safeguarding Season” enables us to focus on the centrality of Safeguarding in all that we do. There has been an engagement with the painful reality of suicide, which has included over 250 people participating in training through Every Lives Matters. Hundreds of people have shared prayers on a series of prayer trees, including ones on all the campuses of the University of Cumbria. The LOUDfence in front of the Cathedral enabling voices to be heard has once again aided many to share their own experiences and seek to commit to ensuring a better future. I am very grateful to all who have enabled these activities and for the care of Benjamin Carter as Carlisle Cathedral’s Canon Warden, who has led on this important part of Cathedral life.”
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
The photos below show LOUDfence Installation Day (Thursday 20 November) featuring (from left to right):
Gail Howes, Head of Student Support, University of Cumbria, Jo Van Lachterop, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Antonia Sobocki, LOUDfence, Emma Bales, Director of Student Services, University of Cumbria, The Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean, Carlisle Cathedral, The Revd Canon Benjamin Carter, Canon Warden, Carlisle Cathedral, Helen Storey, Every Life Matters and Jo West, LOUDfence.
