AND COMES FROM THE HEART

RATHER THAN set up its own welfare programmes, the Anglican Church in Athens has decided to work with other Churches and humanitarian institutions. It has heeded the World Council of Churches’ advice that, wherever possible, Churches should work together rather than independently. Below is a list of the programmes the Chaplaincy is currently involved in, or provides financial support to.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is a term used to describe the need to protect children, young persons and adults who may be vulnerable from all forms of improper actions by others. As we are aware, abuse whether emotional, physical, sexual or verbal is an issue that society in general is increasingly aware of. Such abuse has proved to be widespread, often covert and occurs in all parts of society including sadly the Church. The Diocese of Europe follows UK law and therefore as a Chaplaincy within the Diocese of Europe we comply fully with the requirements of the Diocese Safeguarding Policy. The Safeguarding officer is responsible for the overall co-ordination of Safeguarding in the Chaplaincy, to ensure that our Church community and all that happens within and through it is known to be “safe”. The  protection of minors and adults who may be vulnerable is of paramount importance to us.

DIOCESE IN EUROPE

CHAPLAINCY SAFEGUARDING POLICY

For the Chaplaincy of ‘THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN GREECE, ST. PAUL’S ATHENS

The protection from harm of children and adults who may be vulnerable is of paramount importance to us.  As a chaplaincy within the Diocese of Europe, we comply fully with the requirements of the Diocese’s Safeguarding Policy.

We will not tolerate the abuse of children of adults in any form.

Specifically, within  our Chaplaincy we are committed to:

• The car, nurture, and respectful pastoral ministry of all children, young persons and adults
• The safeguarding and protection of all children young persons and adults who may be vulnerable.
• The establishing of safe, caring communities which provide a loving environment where there is a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ as to the dangers of abuse.
• the careful selection and training of all those with any safeguarding responsibility within the Church, including the use of available criminal records disclosures and relevant vetting and barring schemes.
• Preventing abuse or the likelihood of abuse by encouraging and adopting a pro-active stance to safeguarding; responding to the slightest concern whether by rumour, speculation or from an anonymous source – every safeguarding concern will be taken seriously.
• Ensuring that any concern about safeguarding must be passed onto someone in the Diocesan Safeguarding Team as there are no legal barriers to sharing such concerns.
• Responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that a child, young person or adult may have been harmed – co-operating with the local police, relevant local agencies and any other relevant body (eg other faith groups) in any investigation.
• Seeking to work with anyone who has suffered abuse, developing with them an appropriate ministry of informed pastoral care.
• Seeking to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust.
• Seeking to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

Adopted/reaffirmed by the Chaplaincy Council Date:  13th May 2018

• SALVATION ARMY GREEN LIGHT PROJECT: supporting adults and young people being trafficked and abused in the red light district of central Athens with the aim of helping them integrate into society; providing accommodation and schooling for young people. 

• AEI FEREIN LIFELONG EDUCATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING:  located in the OAKA (Olympic Stadium) complex, an all-age life-long educational initiative providing sustainable skills,  programmes and holiday camps for young people and working with the Orthodox Church’s Apostoli programme, such as Dimitraeon after-school club. 

• MYRTILLO: enabling young people with special needs to integrate into the employment market, learn skills and work alongside others via a café and catering company and providing space  for exhibitions and events in a central Athens park.

‘Loida’, a home for senior citizens
In Greece, there is a desperate need of care homes for Senior Citizens. ‘Loida’, run by the Hellenic Scripture Union, has been open for 30 years. It is found at 48, Ionias Street, in Kifissia, and cares for about 70 residents. The Anglican Church in Athens has donated money to this home to assist with the improvement of its facilities.  Long-term partners and friends and a place where our former Reader, Sherry Angelis, and other residents receive the best possible care within a Christian environment. www.sugreece.gr.

APOSTOLI – charitable arm of the Orthodox Church.