Home

A Very Warm Welcome to St Mark in the Cherry Orchard Church

St Mark’s, with its angular brick structure but warm and friendly interior, has been the centre of Christian outreach to this community since almost the turn of the century. We, the present members of the Church family, realise our debt to those of an earlier generation who had the foresight and enterprise to build a Church here and to those, both ordained and lay, who have nurtured and sustained its ministry over the years.

We look forward to welcoming you at a service or as a user of the church hall

The church hall is available for private hire, please get in touch with Val (01905 358637) or Jan (01905 351392) or use contact form on this site for more information.  It is well equipped for up to 72 people and the hire charge includes heat & light plus use of kitchen (& contents) and, weather permitting, the garden.  It is available from 9am Monday to Saturday and on Sundays from 10.45am; end times depend on when long term hirers have booked from / to. For those who have hearing impediments, the hall has been fitted with a hearing loop and Bluetooth.  If you are thinking of organising a group Afternoon Tea, we even have china cups, etc. and teapots that we can loan to create an authentic event.

SAFE GUARDING

In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy, St Mark’s Church is committed to:

  • Promoting a safer environment and culture.
  • Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
  • Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
  • Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
  • Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
  • Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:

  • Create a safe and caring place for all.
  • Appoint a Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) at the APCM, to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
  • Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
  • Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
  • Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
  • Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
  • Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies immediately.
  • Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
  • Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
  • Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.

Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

If you wish to report any safeguarding issue, please contact any member of St Mark’s PCC, details are listed on the who’s who page.  Alternatively, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Hilary Higton 07495060869