The wellbeing of clergy and their families has always been a key aspect of our life as a diocese. Clergy themselves have access to a range of resources specific to their professional needs and development, (scroll down to the ‘Wellbeing and dignity at work’ heading), but there are also networks of support available to spouses and their families, as well as the specific help that may be needed in times of difficulty.
Further useful links and downloads
The Diocese of Salisbury facilitates a Clergy Spouses Group to provide events, resources and contact points for all clergy spouses. We invite you to join this network so that you can keep up to date with relevant information. If you would like to join, please email your name and email address to parishsupport@salisbury.anglican.org.
Broken Rites is an ecumenical, international organisation offering peer-to-peer support and information to separated and divorced spouses and partners of clergy and ministers.
The Bishop’s visitors to clergy spouses are: Sarah Musgrave and Hugh Privett
Widows and Dependents Committee
The Committee exists to support Clergy widows and widowers living within the diocese, whether or not their husbands, wives or civil partners served in this diocese. ‘Clergy’ includes Non-Stipendiary Ministers (NSMs) as well as Stipendiary Clergy.
A Bereavement Grant is made to each qualifying widow or widower as soon as possible after the decease of their partner. Grants for those in need can also be made at other times. This grant for widows and/or dependants of clergy will be up to £2,000. If you or someone you know would benefit from assistance following bereavement please contact: Each Archdeaconry has a Widows Officer and requests for assistance should be made in the first instance to your Officer:
• Dorset Archdeaconry: Revd Malcolm Hill mchill43@hotmail.com
• Wilts Archdeaconry: (cover) Revd Peter Matthews fpetermatthews@hotmail.co.uk
• Sherborne Archdeaconry: Revd Jane Culliford janeculliford@aol.com
• Sarum Archdeaconry and Chair of the Widows and Dependants Committee: Revd Peter Matthews, fpetermatthews@hotmail.co.uk
You can also contact the Chair of the Committee.