Welcome to the Parish of Heysham

At our churches of St Peter’s and St James’, we extend a special welcome to you. Whether you are single, married, divorced, widowed, straight, gay, unsure, wearing your best or just in your wellies, you are welcome here. We especially welcome wailing babies and excited toddlers exploring our pews. 

We welcome you whether you can sing like a star or are happy to listen to the choir. You’re welcome here if you’re just curious, if you’re a lifelong Christian, or if you haven’t stepped inside a church since a wedding years ago. 

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but haven’t lost their youthful spirit, and to teenagers who are finding their way. We welcome dog walkers, hikers, football fans, coffee lovers, vegetarians, and chip eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still struggling. We welcome you if you’re feeling overwhelmed, are down in the dumps, or don’t usually ‘do’ church. We promise you’ll find a friendly face, not a fuss. 

We offer a welcome to those who are full of doubts, work too hard, can’t find work, or are here because your family dragged you along! We welcome those who are inked, pierced, or neither. We offer a special welcome to those who need a quiet moment, who had a difficult experience with religion in the past, or have wandered in before staggering across the Barrows to see the sunset. 

We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters, because when it comes down to it, that’s what we all are. 

We welcome you. 

Christmas Family Games Night

Come along to an evening of fun and games for all the family in St James’ Centre at 7pm on Friday, 12 December 2025.

Tickets are £5 to include mulled wine, mince pies, bingo, dingbats and a Christmas quiz.  For tickets please contact syl.welberry@gmail.com.

Burns Night Celebration

An evening to celebrate Burns Night is planned for Saturday, 24 January 2026.  Watch this space for more details.

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Jane Sutton and can be contacted on heyshamparishsafeguarding@gmail.com

PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH

St Peter, St James and St Andrew, Heysham have adopted the House of Bishops ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook, incorporating the House of Bishop’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Guidance
A copy of this, and all the information below can be found here.

We also display the Promoting a Safer Church poster prominently within our church. This is in the entrance hall to Church along with relevant phone numbers and contact details.

All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training.

REPORTING A CONCERN

If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999.

Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your local Parish Safeguarding Officer(s) (PSO) in the first instance.

Jane Sutton – heyshamparishsafeguarding@gmail.com

The PSO can seek further advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as necessary.

Concerns can also be raised directly with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team

SAFEGUARDING TEAM CONTACT DETAILS

safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
Tel: 01254 503088

Assistant DSA, Sophie Booth
Sophie.booth@blackburn.anglican.org
07468971759

DSA, Catherine Smith,
Catherine.smith@blackburn.anglican.org
07711485170

Safeguarding Trainer, Andrea Richards
Andrea.richards@blackburn.anglican.org
07484073146

Safeguarding Administrator, Claudia Aspey
Claudia.aspey@blackburn.anglican.org
01254 503088

Address: Diocese Offices, Clayton House, Walker Office Business Park, Blackburn, BB1 2QE

Safeguarding concerns in a school/university/prison/healthcare setting should be raised with the relevant organisation’s Safeguarding team.

FINDING SUPPORT

Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales.

If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support.

Contact SafeSpaces

We understand reporting abuse may be very difficult and that not everyone may want to contact the church directly. Below is a list of other agencies that are available to assist either on a 24-hour basis or through specialist helplines and services:

Thirty-one: Eight: 0303 003 1111 (out of hours and weekend safeguarding advice)

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are worried about a child.

Child-line: 0800 1111 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are a child or young person and are worried about anything.

National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (lines free and open 24 hours). Phone if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

Samaritans Helpline: 116 123 (open 24 hours). Phone if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to.

Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9-5pm).