Archdeacon Mark Badger leads on Clergy Wellbeing within the diocese – or “Living Well”.
For some years the Church of England has become more aware of the effects of the stresses and strains of parish ministry on clergy and their families. We, as the Diocese of Worcester, commit together to promote the welfare of our clergy and their households in terms expressed in the Covenant for Clergy Care and Wellbeing. We undertake to work together to seek to coordinate and improve our approach to clergy care and wellbeing that ordained ministers flourish in their service of the mission of God within and beyond the Church.
In addition to what is already in place within the Diocese (below):
- Reference guides including the Flourishing in Ministry document
- Networks including the Clergy Network and the Clergy Spouse Network
- Specialist Support including Diocesan Counselling Service
- Diocesan Support from senior clergy and the HR team
- Time away including sabbaticals and retreats
A group has been set up to monitor and evaluate how we can best support our clergy to “Live Well” and to implement initiatives and strategies to aid wellbeing.
You will notice a variety of representatives on the group – click on their names to learn more about them.
Mark Badger – Archdeacon of Worcester (Chair)
It is a great privilege to chair this group which brings together people who are one way or another passionate about and committed to life in all its fulness for clergy, their spouses and their families. In such a changing scene the role of the parish priest is as important as ever it was, and possibly as complex too!
On the Bishop’s staff team I lead on ‘Clergy Wellbeing’.
I love being a priest and am grateful for a ministry exercised in different places and ways as well as for the people who have encouraged, held and nurtured me through good times and bad along the way.
So, if you need support, please feel free to contact me on 01905 773301 and or email me.
On the Bishop’s staff team I lead on ‘Clergy Wellbeing’.
I love being a priest and am grateful for a ministry exercised in different places and ways as well as for the people who have encouraged, held and nurtured me through good times and bad along the way.
So, if you need support, please feel free to contact me on 01905 773301 and or email me.
Mary Flitcroft – Bishop's Adviser for Spirituality
In this life of ministry as well as on our pilgrimage it is good for our well-being to have a companion with whom we can share the joys and difficulties of the journey, someone we can walk with and can help us keep a healthy perspective. Worcester Diocese’s Spiritual Directors can be companions on your journey. They offer a confidential, safe space as well as a compassionate, listening heart.
If you feel you would benefit from having such a companion/spiritual director, drop me an email, I can lead you through the process of finding one.
We also hold Spirituality Gatherings which are open to all and provide a place in which you can connect with others in ministry and be reminded of those things which are important and not just urgent! We have speakers on various topics relating to spirituality and there are opportunities to discuss the subject more deeply. If you would like to come to any of these do email me and I can send you the details, (they also appear on the Diocesan newsletters/mailings).
Read more about Mary here.
If you feel you would benefit from having such a companion/spiritual director, drop me an email, I can lead you through the process of finding one.
We also hold Spirituality Gatherings which are open to all and provide a place in which you can connect with others in ministry and be reminded of those things which are important and not just urgent! We have speakers on various topics relating to spirituality and there are opportunities to discuss the subject more deeply. If you would like to come to any of these do email me and I can send you the details, (they also appear on the Diocesan newsletters/mailings).
Read more about Mary here.
Jo Hyrons – Diocesan HR Manager
I work in the diocesan office with my job-share partner Becky Lowe. As HR Coordinators, one of our roles is to support clergy who have become unwell due to stress, depression or anxiety offering practical support as well as the services of occupational health to help them return to health.
My aim within the group is to ensure clergy are aware, and have access to, the support they need to flourish in their ministry and to enable them to “Live Well” in their private lives and their ministry. We do have a great range of resources and networks within the diocese, and I want people to know about them, use them and tell others about them.
Our clergy and their families should feel comfortable seeking help when they need it, and finding it, to enable them to continue to live well.
Please do get in touch by email or 01905 730 730 / 732 818
My aim within the group is to ensure clergy are aware, and have access to, the support they need to flourish in their ministry and to enable them to “Live Well” in their private lives and their ministry. We do have a great range of resources and networks within the diocese, and I want people to know about them, use them and tell others about them.
Our clergy and their families should feel comfortable seeking help when they need it, and finding it, to enable them to continue to live well.
Please do get in touch by email or 01905 730 730 / 732 818
Becky Lowe - Diocesan HR Manager
I am one half of the HR Support Team for the Diocese along with my colleague Jo Hyrons. The HR team aim to enable a supportive culture where people enjoy their duties through the good times and the harder times, are able to contribute fully, thrive and develop their skills over time.
We are here as a helpdesk for people to ask questions of and as part of a support team during absence or long term sickness. We also to try to create greater awareness of issues of clergy care and wellbeing. If you would like to get in touch for yourself or someone else, we can signpost to some of the great resources and help and advice we have available in our diocese.
Our Flourishing in Ministry document is a great place to start reading, this is a practical resource which will help to articulate principles that promote ministerial flourishing and support every minister to thrive in their life and ministry. During difficult times, it is important to know that senior clergy and the HR team at the diocesan office are here to help you.
Please do get in touch by email or 01905 730 730 / 732 818
We are here as a helpdesk for people to ask questions of and as part of a support team during absence or long term sickness. We also to try to create greater awareness of issues of clergy care and wellbeing. If you would like to get in touch for yourself or someone else, we can signpost to some of the great resources and help and advice we have available in our diocese.
Our Flourishing in Ministry document is a great place to start reading, this is a practical resource which will help to articulate principles that promote ministerial flourishing and support every minister to thrive in their life and ministry. During difficult times, it is important to know that senior clergy and the HR team at the diocesan office are here to help you.
Please do get in touch by email or 01905 730 730 / 732 818
Joseph Diwakar – Director of Mission and Ministry
Contact me on 01905 732815 or email me.
The Revd Becky Elliot – Dean of Women's Ministry and Vicar of Holy Trinity and St James, Malvern
As Dean of Women’s Ministry, Becky will represent and understand the needs of ordained women across the Diocese, becoming an official advocate for women priests both locally and nationally.
Kim Lennard – Bishop’s Adviser in Pastoral Care and Counselling
I am a psychotherapist with an integrative and holistic approach to my work. I have had my own private practice since 2018 and have also held paid employment roles and worked on a voluntary basis in a number of sectors.I previously worked for West Midlands Police, firstly as a HR Manager, then as an Employee Support Manager. As Bishop's Adviser I co-ordinate the diocesan counselling service.
Taking time out to reflect on issues which are troubling you can be time well spent. Knowing when to take the time to talk things through is a key skill in staying well within demanding roles. We see people who are struggling with almost any issue you can think of: stress; depression; relationships; burnout; anger management; sexuality; and more.
Taking time out to reflect on issues which are troubling you can be time well spent. Knowing when to take the time to talk things through is a key skill in staying well within demanding roles. We see people who are struggling with almost any issue you can think of: stress; depression; relationships; burnout; anger management; sexuality; and more.
The service is supported by the diocese so no one should feel that they cannot afford the support they need. Additional sources of funding may be available via the Clergy Support Trust.
Around 30 people a year use the counselling service and the feedback we receive is positive and appreciative. Do contact me at any time for a confidential discussion about how we can best support you. Email / 07305 269960
Helen Reading - Clergy Spouse Network Representative
I am Helen Reading - wife, mum, parent/carer rep for Families In Partnership working with WCC, Chair of Governors for a local C of E school, formally a Day Services Manager for Adults with LD and foster carer. I am married to Glenn, priest of four churches in the Redditch Christ the King Benefice, and mum to five children aged between 5 - 19.
My role in this group is essentially as a Clergy Spouse and all that entails - both in volunteer work in churches and supporting my husband as a priest within the diocese and my children in the uniqueness of belonging to a clergy family.
I can support wellbeing / living well in the Diocese as a clergy spouse, with clergy children and knowing other families in the same boat. Part of clergy wellbeing will always be integral to spouses and family life.
My role in this group is essentially as a Clergy Spouse and all that entails - both in volunteer work in churches and supporting my husband as a priest within the diocese and my children in the uniqueness of belonging to a clergy family.
I can support wellbeing / living well in the Diocese as a clergy spouse, with clergy children and knowing other families in the same boat. Part of clergy wellbeing will always be integral to spouses and family life.
Rosie Moss - Co-Deans of Self-Supporting Ministers and Associate Priest in Worcester
Rosie Moss is one of two Co-Deans of Self-Supporting Ministers and is an SSM herself, serving as an Associate Priest in Worcester.
Useful Links
- Diocesan Counselling Service
- Flourishing in Ministry
- You can find all the Living Ministry reports and resources, including one recently added to help PCCs think through wellbeing in the parish, here: Living Ministry | The Church of England.
- Employee (*) Assistance Programme (* for “Employee” substitute “Office Holder”)
- You will have been made aware when you first joined the Diocese of Worcester that you are automatically enrolled as a member of our Group Life Assurance Scheme providing a lump sum benefit of one year’s stipend to your estate should you die in service. In addition to the lump sum, being a member of the scheme allows you access the EAP through our insurers, Legal and General. This is described as a “comprehensive health and wellbeing toolkit”. You may find it useful to download the “My Healthy Advantage” app to access this more easily – email the HR Team for the passcode - This is a confidential and free service.
- Retreat Centres
- Clergy Based Grants
- Clergy Hardship Fund
- The Archbishops’ Council and the Church Commissioners have made extra funding available to dioceses to help clergy and lay workers who are likely to face significant hardship as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Some discretion is allowed in the allocation of funds, but the primary intention is to help with the increases in the costs of energy. If you are struggling financially, we strongly encourage you to apply: the fund has been set up specifically for this purpose. To do so, please contact Stuart Currie (Bishop's Chaplain). If you wish to apply, we'll need to know your after-tax household income other than your stipend (if any) and the cost of your heating bills in the past twelve months. Also, if there are any specific needs that you have, please do let us know
- If it Wasn’t for God’: A Report on the Wellbeing of Global Majority Heritage Clergy in the Church of England,’ by Dr Selina Stone.
- The research was funded by Clergy Support Trust and is part of the Living Ministry research programme. The report explores in depth the lived experience of UK minority ethnic and global majority heritage clergy and the wellbeing challenges they face, and suggests ways that the church can respond. It is a powerful and challenging read and a valuable resource to help the church work to improve and support the wellbeing of all clergy. For those who prefer to listen, we have released an accompanying podcast in which the research team discuss key themes from their analysis. You can access both the report and the podcast here (under ‘Focussed Studies’): https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/diocesan-resources/ministry/ministry-development/living-ministry/living-ministry-research.