- Jenny Stemp, St Mary's Church, Portsea (25 years)
- Jan Windsor, Alverstoke (25 years)
- Philip Gibbs, West Leigh (10 years)
- Janet Dulledge, Sarisbury Green (10 years); and
- Angela Etherington, Church of the Holy Spirit, Southsea (10 years)
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24 September 2026
Safeguarding conference looks at mental health and dementia issues
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17 September 2025
Independent audit praises safeguarding in diocese and cathedral
An independent audit has praised the transformation of the safeguarding culture within our diocese and ... read more
Safeguarding conference looks at mental health and dementia issues
CLERGY, lay ministers and parish safeguarding officers learned about mental health, caring for older people and dementia care at our latest Safeguarding Conference.
The annual event took place at St Luke's Church, Southsea, and enabled delegates to understand some of the latest thinking regarding how we care for the most vulnerable within our churches and communities. It was laid on free of charge for those in our parishes.
Dr Richard Murphy, senior lecturer at Winchester University, kicked off the day by examining the legislation surrounding mental health and mental capacity, including the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. He helped delegates understand some of the criteria used to determine whether an individual has mental capacity.
Maggie Bennett, chief executive of the Alzheimer Cafe on the Isle of Wight, spoke about dementia and decision-making - working out how we can support people to belong to churches and communities.
Delegates heard from Emma Sneddon, our Anna Chaplaincy co-ordinator, about the spiritual care offered by Anna Chaplains to older people in care homes and their own homes. They also heard from diocesan disability adviser the Rev Amanda Collinson, on how to promote accessibility for the disabled and neurodiverse within our congregations. More information about how we support those with disabilities is here.
Diocesan safeguarding advisers Claire Lewis and Andy Hawkins led a case study which imagined a Navy veteran who was sleeping rough and drinking, who then wanted to become involved with a church community. Delegates discussed the nuances of how best to help someone in this situation.
Elizabeth Fox, frontline services lead for Hourglass, which aims to combat domestic abuse of older people, told delegates why older victims often stay hidden - due to shame, loyalty to family members, or even the fear of consequences. More than 25 per cent of domestic homicide victims are aged 60 or over. And 32 per cent of victims aged over 60 continue to live with their perpetrators, even after seeking support.
And Helen Hamblen, chief executive of Dementia Support, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, talked about dementia, and the capacity for those with dementia to make decisions.
She explained that we often assume someone living with dementia is unable to make decisions. In fact, the legislation assumes someone has capacity unless it can be shown that they don't. That ability can fluctuate, which means someone could make a specific decision now, even if on another occasion they lack that capacity. The question should be: "what resources would help someone to make a decision?"
The day ended with certificates presented to those who had served for many years as parish safeguarding officers, and commissioning prayers.
Among those receiving long-service certificates were: