Many retired clergy are part of local congregations and give and receive pastoral support there. The Area Dean has pastoral responsibilities towards retired ministers in their Deanery and is available for support, usually through the Retired Clergy Officer. Contact details for area deans can be found on the diocesan website.

Retired Clergy Association

The Association is the national body which represents the interests of retired ministers. Membership is open to all retired clergy. Details of how to join and what the Association offers are available on their website. All clergy retiring from service in the Diocese of Portsmouth can apply for payment of their life membership by the diocese. Meetings of Association members in the diocese are arranged by its local officers:

• Rev Godfrey Hilliard (Chair), and
• Rev Kim Weeks (Secretary/Treasurer).

Financial Support

• The Clergy Support Trust can provide financial support to retired clergy: clergysupport.org.uk
• Frances Ashton Charity provides one-off grants to serving or retired clergy of the Church of England and to their widows and widowers in cases where there is an exception or urgent need. More details can be found here: francesashton.co.uk
• The Harry and Katie Pollard Trust gives grants to retired clergy and clergy widows/widowers for capital expenditure on property and replacing items of furniture or domestic appliances that have come to the end of their working life. The application form can be found here: churchunion.co.uk/applications
• Ecclesiastical Insurance provide financial advice for pensions with a good understanding of issues relating to clergy: ecclesiastical.com/financial-advice/retirements-and-pensions
• Retirement Housing from the Church of England Pensions Board can be accessed at any time following retirement. They have housing options for independent rental and community living: cofepensionsboard.org/retirement-housing