Home Find a Church Job Vacancies Safeguarding Contact Us Your Privacy

Home > Info for Leaders > Wellbeing

Wellbeing

The Diocese is committed to the wellbeing of all those who participate in its life and activity. On this page you can find details about different wellbeing resources and services provided by the diocese, as well as connections to other organisations and providers who may provide support for you to use for your own mental health and wellbeing. Some of these are particularly relevant to those in ministry in the diocese, others are accessible for all.

If your need is urgent and if you find yourself feeling low, tearful, angry or unable to cope for a long period of time, you may be suffering from stress, anxiety or depression. Find out about the local support available in Leicestershire.

Telephone numbers for mental health organisations can be downloaded here or a link to therapeutic support through GP referral may be found here.

Counselling

Our counselling service, available to Clergy, their families and Licensed Lay Leaders, is one avenue of support offered by the diocese.

We are committed to providing confidential, short-term psychological and emotional support to all clergy, their families, and other licenced leaders. We have a team of qualified and experienced counsellors accredited with their professional bodies. This means that they adhere to their ethical codes of conduct and guidelines for good practice.

Anissa Chung, our Head of Counselling, also offers two 30-minute listening sessions a week for clergy and curates, providing:

  • active listening in a safe, confidential place for a one-off timely support
  • space to offload to alleviate clergy’s stress and distress
  • triage to other appropriate support (such as pastoral supervision or spiritual accompaniment, etc.) when necessary at the end of the conversation.

If you would like to book a listening session, or would like to explore whether counselling could offer you the support you need, please contact:

Anissa Chung - Head of Counselling
Anissa.Chung@LeicesterCofE.org
07398199392

Launde Abbey

One of the main resources Christians have found to aid in spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing is the practice of retreat.

Within the diocese, Launde Abbey is a retreat house offering opportunities for individuals and groups to find sanctuary, a safe space, a place to rest, reflect and to 'be'. Visit the Launda Abbey website to learn more.

Bishop's Retreat Days at Launde Abbey:
Clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers are invited to join an upcoming retreat at Launde Abbey on one of the following dates:

2025

  • Thursday 13 March
  • Wednesday 9 April
  • Tuesday 6 May
  • Thursday 5 June
  • Thursday 10 July
  • Wednesday 13 August
  • Saturday 6 September
  • Tuesday 16 September
  • Thursday 9 October
  • Tuesday 4 November

These days are offered free of charge, with lunch and refreshments included. They start with worship in the chapel at 9am (9.30am on Saturdays) and close with a service of eucharist at 3.30pm. Please email Bishops.Office@LeicesterCofE.org to book a place.

Pastoral Supervision

For all licensed ordained clergy, and for those lay ministers taking primary responsibility for leading churches within Minster Communities, the diocese offers the opportunity to receive pastoral supervision from peers also in ministry in the diocese.
This is a confidential service, which offers an intentional space in which supervisees can grow in understanding and spiritual and theological insight as they reflect on their ministry.

Contact Richard Trethewey, Assistant Archdeacon, for further information: Richard.Trethewey@LeicesterCofE.org

Training for those offering pastoral supervision is provided by the Institute of Pastoral Counselling and Supervision.

Coaching and Spiritual Direction

For more information about Coaching (Available through the Parish Transition and Ministry Department) contact Stuart Burns, Director of PT&MD Team: Stuart.Burns@LeicesterCofE.org.uk

For more information about Spiritual Direction, contact Revd Liz Rawlings: Liz.Rawlings@LeicesterCofE.org or see our Spiritual Direction web page.

Sabbaticals

The prime purpose of a sabbatical is to step back from the everyday work of ministry and provide space for prayerful reflection, professional development and personal enrichment.
As such, renewal, retreat and rest are all important elements to take into consideration when planning a sabbatical. It can be a significant time to reflect on your work, and on the way it is shaping you, to look back and look forward, as well as being an opportunity to give concentrated attention and sustained time to a subject or project which matters to you and your future ministry, and which may benefit others in the church.

Visit our Sabbaticals page to learn more.

Racial Equity

For the past few years, the Leicester Diocese - alongside the national church - has been taking bold and proactive steps in its journey towards racial justice. 

The Diocese published its Racial Equity Strategy in 2021, and Sophie Holder, the Director of Racial Equity, is working on the implementation of the strategy.

Actions associated with the implementation include a reporting system for incidents of racism experienced within the diocese, a review of existing diocesan policies, anti-racism training and racial equity advocates.

However, as these plans continue to come to fruition, the national church has provided resources/links to support UK Minority Ethnic and Global Majority Heritage (UKME/GMH) clergy. These include:

We would also refer clergy to the reports commissioned and published by the national church, which highlight the reality of where the church is in relation to racial equity and the actions that have been recommended for change:

Lastly, we encourage you to contact and speak with Sophie Holder (DRE) directly about any questions or concerns you may be experiencing in your role - Sophie.Holder@LeicesterCofE.org 

Financial Wellbeing for Clergy and Licensed Lay Leaders

Concern about our finances and our longer-term financial planning can be a specific drain on our energy and ministry.
To support us we have appointed Chris Sheldon as our Financial Wellbeing Coordinator who can confidentially help clergy, licensed lay leaders, retired clergy and their families. Read more about this support here. Contact Chris confidentially at chris@sheldonhouse.co.uk or call him on 07779 273705.

Other Organisations and Resources

A number of organisations, including the National Church of England, provide resources and support for wellbeing.
Here are just some of those which may be relevant to those involved in the diocese in some way:

Wellbeing Working Group

The Bishops' Leadership Team has established this group to look at ways of supporting our church leaders. 

This group is chaired by Claire Wood, the Archdeacon of Loughborough, and its membership also comprises: Alison Adams, Andy Brockbank, Stuart Burns, Kim Ford, Andy Hall, Karen Rooms, Carolyn Shoyer, Richard Trethewey, and Richard Worsfold.

Alongside collating resources and updating this page with opportunities to help with your wellbeing, the group will also be contributing to the Shaped by God Together process, recognising that support for wellbeing will continue to be a key priority as the diocesan framework for mission emerges.

Powered by Church Edit