In a boost to a significant conservation effort, the Church Commissioners for England has agreed a fresh lease with Butterfly Conservation at Magdalen Hill Down, a nature reserve on the edge of Winchester in the South Downs National Park.

Following the recommendations made in IICSA’s investigation report into child migration programmes, published in March 2018, the National Safeguarding Team is now in dialogue with, on behalf of the Church of England, the Child Migrants Trust, an independent charity which supports child migrants and their families nationally and internationally. We await the UK government’s response to the IICSA’s recommendations. 

A baptismal font dating back to the Middle Ages has been restored and repaired more than 80 years after it was destroyed by German bombers during the Second World War.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 has been amended to include a new section 22A which expands “Position of Trust” offences to include anyone who is coaching, teaching, training, supervising or instructing in a sport or a religion. 

From Bishop Viv Faull, deputy lead safeguarding bishop and co-chair designate of the All Party Parliamentary Group on safeguarding in faith settings.

FEATURE / The Church of England’s digital communications team has trained more than 200 parishes in social media and writing for the web.

NEWS / A Birmingham church transformed into a community centre is the first to complete a conservation project under the ChurchCare 100 Church Treasures campaign.

Safe Spaces is planned as a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse across the Church of England and the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Changes have been announced making it easier for parishes to apply for funding to support fabric repairs.

FEATURE / On Saturday afternoon, around and during the England football match (!), the Digital and Church House Publishing teams updated General Synod on how we’re supporting local churches and encouraging people into worshipping communities.