As the first tranche of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s (PCI) ‘Safeguarding Roadshows’ has hit the road. The all-Ireland denomination’s safeguarding lead has said that she hopes ‘as many as possible take the opportunity to take part, as it is an important opportunity to hear how safeguarding is changing in PCI.’
Designed for those who have responsibility for safeguarding in PCI’s 500-plus congregations, the initial series of nine information evenings at venues across the island of Ireland, began recently in Bangor. Taking place in venues in Counties Antrim, Cavan, Derry/Londonderry, Donegal, Fermanagh and Tyrone, the roadshow’s final stop in this series will be in Lucan, County Dublin at the end of February. The initiative is part of the preparation for major safeguarding changes that are to be implemented shortly with regards to the protection of children and adults.
PCI’s Safeguarding Lead, Jayne Bellingham, announced the roadshow at last month’s Special General Assembly. Speaking about the roadshows, Mrs Bellingham said that she had been very encouraged by the first one last week. “We had a great turn out, nearly 100 people in Bangor, and I want to thank everyone from so many different congregations in the surrounding area, and farther afield, for coming. It was an invaluable time of information sharing, roundtable discussion, Q&As, feedback, and prayer. It was also a great demonstration of the commitment to safeguarding in our local churches.
“As the world becomes more complex, safeguarding becomes more complex, and as we move into this new year we enter a time of looking forward, and we want to ensure that day-to-day safeguarding in PCI can be the best it can be. It is important that we do this together, and our roadshows are part of that process of moving forward, so we get the heart of safeguarding right.”
Mrs Bellingham explained that since the spring of 2024 the denomination has been working with others on developing a new suite of safeguarding policies and procedures that take in the legislative changes in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. “The new policies were agreed by the 2025 General Assembly in June, with a suite of detailed updated procedures in the final stages of approval now, which will come into force in next month,” Mrs Bellingham said.
“In preparation for the launch of these new procedures, I want to encourage our safeguarding leads to come along to whatever information evening is convenient to them, so that they can hear first-hand what is being planned. The Q&A sessions will be really important, as will the feedback from them.
“This is the first of a number of safeguarding initiatives that are taking place this year. We will be holding online seminars following the release of the new safeguarding procedures to help and support people through them, there will be increased training sessions, videos produced and other resources made available, including a safeguarding conference later on this year. We are also considering a further series of roadshows on other aspects of safeguarding practice, all of which is part of elevating the position of safeguarding within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland,” Mrs Bellingham said.
“We know that our designated persons in our churches in Northern Ireland, and our designated liaison persons in our congregations in the Republic of Ireland, are central to the success of safeguarding across our denomination. All are volunteers in their own local churches, working quietly and tirelessly to ensure the safeguarding of children and adults, and I can’t thank them enough for what they do.
“I sincerely hope that as many as possible take the opportunity to come and engage with the roadshow, as it is an important opportunity to see how safeguarding is changing in PCI. We would also value your prayers,” she said.
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