Wellbeing for Clergy and Staff
Counselling
Counselling is available for licensed clergy, their immediate families, licenced readers and lay workers and diocesan employees, through the Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service (CMCS). CMCS exists to help these individuals to deal with challenging, emotional issues they face, whether work related or personal, through short-term, professional counselling.
The service is entirely confidential, and can be accessed anonymously, through self-referral. The Diocese of Exeter will normally meet the full cost of counselling accessed through the scheme.
For further details, and information on how to self-refer, please view the service leaflet Churches’ Ministerial Counselling Service. You can contact the local CMCS representative here by email or phone 07867 009740.
Individual and Employee Assistance Programmes
An Assistance Programme is a confidential service designed to help people deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting their home life or work life, health and general wellbeing.
Services provide a complete support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance 24/7, covering a wide range of issues.
Further information regarding the Individual Assistance Programme for Ministers of the Employee Assistance Programme for staff can be seen in the attachments.
Helplines and FAQs
The Diocese of Exeter provides all licensed lay and ordained ministers and all EDBF employees with additional wellbeing support through an Assistance Programme.
The service provided by an external company gives all ministers and EDBF employees access to many resources to support their physical and mental health, as well as work-life support and help with family and financial matters. It also gives ministers and employees and their families access to a 24-hour helpline to support them through any of life’s problems.
Ministers can access more information and download a flyer about the Individual Assistance Programme here:
HA IAP Leaflet | HA Individual FAqs
EDBF employees can access more information and download a flyer about the Employee Assistance Programme here:
HA EAP Leaflet | HA Employee FAQs
Living Well in Ministry and in the Workplace
In the Diocese of Exeter we recognise the importance of wellbeing. We want to promote a culture of health, wellbeing and self-care across the Diocese and we are committed to providing resources which will help Board of Finance employees and licensed lay and ordained ministers to do this.
We have created wellbeing handbooks to encourage those working within the Diocese to develop and establish healthy patterns and habits of self-care and to maintain good working practices.
Licensed lay and ordained ministers should review the Living Well in Ministry Wellbeing Handbook.
Board of Finance employees should review the Living Well in the Workplace Wellbeing Handbook.
For women in ministry and the work place we also have the Clergy Menopause Policy and the EDBF Dignity at Work Menopause Policy.
See Pastoral Support Provided by the Diocese of Exeter for Website.
Clergy Careers and Transition Service (run by Church House)
The service provides a safe, confidential space for Church of England ministers who find themselves at a vocational crossroads, or who are seeking development by opening up access to a network of practitioners. The service is available to people who are considering what they might do next or who are seeking a new post. See here for more details.Would you like a Spiritual Director?
A Spiritual Director is an individual who accompanies someone else on a journey to a deeper relationship with God. They provide a confidential listening ear, as well as prayer, encouragement and guidance in the life-long journey of spiritual maturity. They offer a safe space to explore questions and difficulties and offer companionship during a period of discernment or change. Find out more
Sheldon Hub
The Sheldon Hub is a safe place for people in ministry to meet, share and support each other. It is secure and free to use. Find out more
What is the Wellbeing Panel?
The Wellbeing Panel includes representatives from the clergy and diocesan staff. They meet four times a year to discuss how the diocese can improve the support it offers. Find out what they have been working on here.
