Student mental health and the pandemic: webinar on 14th December

We will be hosting a free webinar on Monday 14th December on the vital and timely topic of student mental health and the pandemic.

This is a free event aimed at supporting university chaplains and anyone else who is interested in this topic. It will take place from 10.30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

“The conditions created by the pandemic have taken their toll on the mental health of students. Chaplains are increasingly having to deal with issues connected with mental health, but may lack confidence to do so. This webinar aims to give chaplains access to the latest thinking from both institutional and student perspectives, and to signpost further sources of information and support.”

— Event organisers

Our speakers will be Dr Ruth Caleb, MBE who is Chair of the Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education (MWBHE) Working Group and Pete Gaffney who is Student Engagement Officer from Student Minds.

The event will be chaired by Revd Dr Stephen Heap, Chair of the Free Church HE Working Group.

Please register for the webinar using the link below

(cover photo courtesy of Deniz Altindas at Unsplash)

REGISTER HERE FOR WEBINAR

Hidden sentences: the voices of prisoners' families...

Hidden sentence is a phrase sometimes used by those whose relatives are serving time in prison - although it is a member of their family who is serving the actual prison sentence, many say they also feel that they are serving a sentence too - a hidden sentence.

Our very own Rev Bob Wilson (FCG Secretary for prison chaplaincy and Free Churches Faith Adviser) had the opportunity to attend The Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture which covered a varied and thought provoking programme of materials. One of the most poignant and important aspects of this Lecture was the premiere of a brand new film ‘Hidden Sentences: Voices of Prisoners’ Families’, created for Prison Advice Care Trust (Pact) by Martin Freeth.

“The Lecture and series of events were really encouraging and the film - Hidden Sentences - was particularly inspiring”

— Rev Bob, Wilson, Free Churches Faith Adviser

You can find out more about the vital and life changing work that Pact undertake with prisoners and their families here:

The Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) is a national charity that provides support to prisoners, people with convictions, and their families. They support people to make a fresh start, and minimise the harm that can be caused by imprisonment to people who have committed offences, to families and to communities.

What they do:

• Build stronger families and safer communities.

• Reduce risk of harm to prisoners and their children.

• Remove barriers and increase awareness in public services.

• Influence commissioning, policy and legislation.

It's a warm welcome to two new team members to the Welcome Directory!

Things have been busy for The Welcome Directory lately! As well as recently recruiting a new project manager, Emily Green, we are pleased to announce there are two new team members to help in the work and mission of The Welcome Directory. The new staff are Rev James Seager and Serena Bailey. Here’s a little bit of background about them and what their roles entail.

James is The Welcome Directory's new Regional Lead. James joins the team with over 18 years of Church leadership experience and also currently works part time as a Free Church Chaplain at HMP Hull. He is currently studying for a Masters in Applied Theology and has held a number of different roles in the charity sector. His focus as Regional Lead will be to increase engagement with The Welcome Directory at local prison establishments regionally as well as raising awareness and encouraging registration amongst faith communities, especially those faiths not yet fully represented in the directory!

Serena is due to join The Welcome Directory as the new Communications & Fundraising Officer. Serena also currently works part time with ShelterBox, a humanitarian relief organisation, in the Partnerships Team and holds a BA in International Development with Spanish. She has spent a number of years working and volunteering in the development and charity sectors, and also has experience in developing donor reports and monitoring and evaluation. Serena's focus will be to increase awareness of the work of The Welcome Directory and seeking out funding opportunities!

On behalf of the Free Churches Group, we extend a warm welcome to you both and wish you all the best in your new roles!

They along with the other team members with the patrons and trustees (who pictured below) will be working to fulfill the mission and vision of The Welcome Directory : a simple yet powerful vision: to help faith communities become places where people who leave prison find acceptance. A place to belong that not only nurtures faith but also offers appropriate practical support… a story as well as hopes and dreams for their lives beyond the prison gate.

Patrons of The Welcome Directory

Trustees of The Welcome Directory

Student Mental Health | FREE webinar | 14th Dec

We will be hosting a free webinar on Monday 14th December on the vital and timely topic of student mental health and the pandemic.

This is a free event aimed at supporting university chaplains and anyone else who is interested in this topic. It will take place from 10.30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

“The conditions created by the pandemic have taken their toll on the mental health of students. Chaplains are increasingly having to deal with issues connected with mental health, but may lack confidence to do so. This webinar aims to give chaplains access to the latest thinking from both institutional and student perspectives, and to signpost further sources of information and support.”

— Event organisers

Our speakers will be Dr Ruth Caleb, MBE who is Chair of the Mental Wellbeing in Higher Education (MWBHE) Working Group and Pete Gaffney who is Student Engagement Officer from Student Minds.

The event will be chaired by Revd Dr Stephen Heap, Chair of the Free Church HE Working Group.

Please register for the webinar using the link below

(cover photo courtesy of Sonaal Bangera at Unsplash)

RE teaching resources: The Reformation

If you are involved in teaching RE or leading children’s and youth groups at churches, you may find these resources interesting, as you plan for the new term: Reforming Christianity. 

There is a resource for Key Stages 2-4. These resources were commissioned by the Free Churches Group and The Methodist Church, sponsored by the Westhill Endowment and produced in association with RE Today Services.

These can be downloaded:

(photo courtesy of Carolyn V at Unsplash)