Safeguarding or do you need help? 

The PCC’s of Little Stour Benefice have adopted the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Church of England. We are committed to the following:


  • Safeguarding all children, young people and vulnerable adults
  • Carefully selecting and training staff and volunteers, using the Disclosure and Barring Service amongst other tools, to check their suitability
  • Responding without delay to every complaint made which suggests that an adult, child or young person may have been harmed or is at risk
  • Cooperating fully with the police, local authority and any other appropriate statutory body in any investigation
  • Ministering appropriately to anyone who has experienced abuse
  • Extending pastoral care to offenders, whilst ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm
The Smyth Abuse Scandal and the Church 

I am writing in light of the resignation of the Archbishop and the ongoing publicity surrounding last week’s publication of the Makin Review. As you will know, the Archbishop has now made the decision to resign,taking responsibility for failures in safeguarding.

We are all shocked at the horror and scale of abuse which was identified in this reportand we  hold all of those who have suffered abuse, and who continue to live with the impact of the trauma inflicted on them, in our prayers. If you would like to offer up a prayer in church please come to one of our churches at Ickham, Littlebourne, Wingham, Wickhambreaux and Stodmarsh, which are all open in daylight hours. 

The Church of God continues to be the light in dark times. Please be assured that I and the church here will continue to work towards peace, safety and healing within our villages and communities. 

Please pray for wisdom and unity as the Church tries to heal and move forward. And please ask God to hold all of those affected by these painful events in your prayers

Reverend Lesley Hardy

Our Safeguarding Officers for the Benefice are:

chrisChris Armstrong on 07804 468448 for Littlebourne email him here

carolineCaroline Rees on 07432726273 for Wickhambreaux, Ickham and Stodmarsh email her here 

Gillian Gillian Agboola on 07857308518 for Wingham email her here 

Diocese Safeguarding (Canterbury) 

Fiona Coombs -Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser

 Telephone - 07548 232395  or Email - fcoombs@diocant.org

 https://www.canterburydiocese.org/safeguarding/

Kent County Council services

Main contact: 03000 41 41 41 

Children and Families Information Service: 03000 41 23 23

Adult Social Services and Health: 03000 41 61 61 

Children’s Social Services:03000 411111

You can also contact any of the following for help:

For help if you are a child:

NSPCC :0808 800 5000 

Childline: 08001111 


For Domestic abuse support:

Refuge:  0808 2000 247 

Mens advice line:  0808 801 0327 

Contact Women's aid live chat 

https://chat.womensaid.org.uk/


For mental health crisis:

Samaritans: 116 123

SANEline: 03003047000 

Calm: 0800585858