CLERGY Spouses

If this is your first time accessing our Clergy Spouse resources, welcome. We invite you to read through our Welcome Letter for a Clergy Spouse to help you get started.

There is also a Clergy Spouses Data Consent Form to fill in and return if you would like to join the spouse mailing list.

Pastoral Care
To access pastoral care for spouses please contact Kate Byrom, the diocesan Head of Ministerial Development & Wellbeing: kate.byrom@southwell.anglican.org

Counselling
The diocese supports up to 8 sessions of free counselling for clergy spouses. You can self-refer and the service is completely confidential. Our recommended diocesan counsellor is Amanda Thomas, please call 07711 059 435 to book. If longer than 8 sessions is needed then it can sometimes be extended. Please contact kate.byrom@southwell.anglican.org for counselling enquiries.

The Sheldon Hub
The Sheldon hub is a place for people in ministry to discuss issues, and these can be done by posting anonymously. There are also various special support groups for people facing CDM issues in ministry etc. You can sign up here: Sheldon Hub – Home Page

Clergy Support Trust
Clergy Support Trust can provide financial assistance to clergy and families experiencing financial difficulties or hardship. These include emergency grants of a few hundred pounds, a more substantial grant for financial support, a grant for wellbeing support (holidays and other wellbeing initiatives) and can also include retraining for spouses. These grants are means-tested.  You can apply directly online or contact them: 0800 389 5192/help@clergysupport.org.uk.. You can find further details here at Clergy Support Trust.

St Luke’s for Clergy
St Luke’s are a charity proving mental health support for clergy and families. Details here: Help for individuals – St Luke’s.

The Bishop’s Visitor
In the unfortunate situation of a clergy marriage break up, the Bishop’s visitors are specially trained to provide both pastoral and practical support to clergy spouses. You can contact them directly, or once the Bishop’s office is aware of the situation they will ask the Bishop’s Visitor to contact you. The primary contact for a Bishop’s Visitor is: Bishopsvisitors@southwell.anglican.org 

Policy and Guidance for the Church of England in the care of the spouses and partners of divorced and separated clergy

The group Broken Rites – From Divorce to New Hope can also provide support in these circumstances.

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