Diocese of Portsmouth
The Church of England

In this section

Practical Wellbeing SupportPractical Wellbeing Support for Clergy

The Diocese of Portsmouth seeks to support all our clergy so that they can thrive and flourish in ministry. In this we recognise the demands and challenges of priesthood in our modern society.

There are many sources of help and support both within and outside the diocesan structures. The first step is always to recognise the issue and be prepared to ask for help. For active clergy the first point of contact should always be your Archdeacon. For more information on the provision of wellbeing support you can contact Neil Smart.

The wellbeing of all clergy is a shared responsibility of the clergy themselves, the diocese and the local church. Working together we can create a culture of realistic expectations and the support necessary to meet the challenges of church leadership.

Individual Support

  • Employee and Clergy Assistance Programme – All clergy and their families can make use of the Diocese account with Health Assured to access this range wellbeing resources. All advice is free, independent and confidential. For more info click here.

Alongside this the range of clergy support that we seek to provide includes:

  • Counselling – there are several routes to gain access to counselling services. Emergency access to mental health support can be gained through the Wisdom Health Assured app. More details can be found here.
  • Spiritual Direction – we recommend that all clergy have the spiritual support of a soul friend or guide who will meet with them regularly for spiritual direction. Click here for details.
  • Pastoral Supervision – We are introducing the practice of pastoral supervision in individual and group sessions.
  • Coaching – coaching is available for all clergy and particularly for new incumbents and those at transition stages of ministry. This is available through external and internal coaches.
  • Mentoring – we are developing a group of experienced local clergy who can offer mentoring to those who have specific issues in parish ministry to address or change processes to complete.

Access this support through your MDR conversation with your Archdeacon or contact Neil Smart.

Ministerial Development

  • Ministerial Development Reviews – the restoration of this process has now been implemented and all clergy are required to engage with these every year. The new framework for our can be found here.
  • Transitions in Ministry courses – these are run on a regional basis with training consultations on:
    • Working with Newly Ordained, once a year in May;
    • First Post and Responsibility, twice a year;
    • New Post, twice a year;
    • Area Deans, once a year in January;
    • Pre Retirement Course, twice a year;
    • To book these courses please contact Neil Smart.
  • Leadership Webinars – a series of monthly leadership webinars run by external consultants or diocesan staff. They happen on midweek days between 12noon and 1pm, usually near the start of each month. Details are listed here.
  • Divine Renovation – as a diocese we are making use of the Divine Renovation resources which provide a framework to help clergy to move their parishes from maintenance to mission. This includes short courses to start to explore the resources, called Kickstart. For more information contact Neil Smart.
  • Sarum Courses – we have an active link with Sarum College in Salisbury where we buy places on selected courses that they offer. More information can be found here.
  • Bishop’s Study Days – Bishop Jonathan invites all clergy to our study days which occur twice a year. The programme is set by Bishop Jonathan, more details here.
  • Clergy Conference – our next clergy conference will held from September 8th to 10th, 2026, at High Leigh Conference Centre in Hertfordshire. More details will be available soon.
  • Extended Ministerial Development Leave – all clergy may apply for a time of extended leave or sabbatical after a 10 year period in ministry. In the first instance they should contact their Archdeacon to discuss this. It will be expected that a proportion of their time will be spent in study alongside a time of rest and restoration. Click here for details.

Peer Support

  • Cairns – we recommend that all clergy explore joining a Carin with clergy colleagues for support, encouragement and accountability. Cairns should be formed around prayer, eating and study, with more details found here.
  • Chapter – we all know that isolation is the worst enemy of clergy who are experiencing stress. We want to make chapter meetings times when we can be open and honest about the challenges we face so that we can help and support one another. Area Deans are always happy to provide advice about links and support for those who are under pressure.

Relationships

  • Bridge Builders – provides training and shares resources and ideas to support church leaders and congregations in the task of living as models of reconciliation.
  • Broken Rites – supports clergy spouses and partners who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships, including one-to-one support, groups meetings and an online community.
  • There are various Facebook groups to support clergy, including Clergy Mummies, Clergy Spice (for spouses of clergy), Clergy Family Network, Curates in Training, Female Ordinands and Clergy, and UKME Ordinands and Curates.
  • Money Advice Service – is a government website giving free, impartial advice on money matters including the steps to consider if facing divorce or separation.

Financial wellbeing

  • The Clergy Support Trust – aims to promote and sustain the wellbeing of Anglican clergy and their dependents. It provides financial grants to households experiencing hardship or other needs. Those eligible include clergy, ordinands and their spouses, former spouses, children and dependents of living or deceased members of former members of clergy.
  • The Cleaver Ordination Candidates Fund – supports Anglican ordinands committed to a traditional Catholic understanding of the priesthood, and offers grants to candidates exploring the priesthood.
  • The Church of England Pensions Board – has a section on the C of E website about how clergy pensions work and where to find further advice.
  • The English Clergy Association – provides holiday grants to give clergy and their families a rest from duty.
  • The Henry Smith Charity – has a programme of grants to assist ordained clergy serving in parochial ministry, administered by diocesan bishops. It also has a Christian projects grant programme.
  • Churches Mutual Credit Union – is a co-operative and mutual society owned and run by its members, open to all clergy and ordinands in the Church of England. It has a range of affordable and ethical savings and loan products designed with clergy in mind.
  • The Foundation of Edward Storey – can provide help, grants and accommodation or offer a number of services to those closely connected with the clergy of the Church of England.
  • Ordinands’ Association – website lists several funds that can help ordinands in financial need.
  • Turn2us – is a charitable service helping people access money available to them through welfare, benefits, grants and other help. It gives a wealth of information.
  • Elizabeth Finn Trust – may provide grants to those facing hardship and savings of under £16,000 or help with nursing home fees.

Participation wellbeing