CAPTION: Lydia Perris will be working with churches and other organisations in Devon on social and environmental justice
Social and Environmental Justice a Shared Responsibility
Lydia Perris has joined the Diocese of Exeter as its new Social Justice and Creation Care Officer at a time when the focus is on her brief like never before.
The Cop26 climate change conference in Glasgow is just over a month away and aspects of social justice around universal credit and fuel poverty are also hitting the headlines.
The impact of the pandemic on mental health and wellbeing is another huge issue.
“I felt a sense of calling to it”
Lydia, who has just graduated with a BA in Geography from Exeter University, said “The scope of the role is huge, so to start with I want to see what is already happening [in Devon] and amplify it and encourage those involved.
“I am really passionate about social and environmental justice. I was quite involved with Just Love, as student, it’s an organisation addressing some of the issues this job does.
“I just thought this would be an amazing opportunity to serve people and make some real change on really important issues locally and globally. I felt a sense of a calling to it.”
Lydia, who comes from Bolton in Lancashire, replaces Chris Keppie, the former Church, Society and Environment Officer, who recently left to work outside the Church of England.
She says her Christian faith is a big part of her desire to make a difference: “I went to Malawi for six months with Tearfund during my gap year and learned so much in terms of my faith.
“I saw the impact of climate change on people there. It opened my eyes to the problems there are and how we in the UK can address them.
“I think there is a massive biblical call to social and environmental justice. For me, it is a huge part of my faith.”
“The whole world is not on your shoulders”
Lydia will be working as part of the Mission and Ministry team at the Diocese of Exeter and says she has two key goals initially: “I think it is important to address carbon targets and to make some progress on reducing carbon emissions.
“Mental health issues are another thing which are so prevalent and need addressing, especially after the pandemic, so hopefully as a diocese we can work towards those two goals, as well as other things which come up.”
Her message to people in Devon who don’t know where to start with environmental and social justice is a simple one: “Remember that your actions do make a difference, but it is not just down to individual actions, systems and churches and governments and organisations play massive roles in addressing injustices.
“You can play your part and I would encourage you to do so, but don’t put pressure on yourself, the whole world is not on your shoulders, it is definitely a shared responsibility.”
You can contact Lydia by email
