Ice HAPLAINC UK ringlng chaplalncy to the heart ol pollclng REPORT 2023-2024
table of CONTENTS
1
Introduction
2 3
4
Goals National Chaplain Training
5 6
Trustees Funding
Acknowledgments
7
INTRODUCTION
Police Chaplaincy UK - Bringing Chaplaincy to the Heart of Policing
PCUK’s aims as stated on the charity commission website “The provision of Chaplaincy to Police Officers, Police Staff and their families to assist maintain and promote their holistic wellbeing. This in turn contributes to an efficient workforce better able and equipped to serve the public. Also providing a network of advice relating to moral, ethical & religious matters and building and facilitating links with communities and the Police.”
Over the last 12 months the number of chaplains in UK policing has stayed around the 500 mark with some leaving and some joining and it is Police Chaplaincy UK’s privilege to offer training guidance, policy and advice to all chaplains in UK policing.
It was in 1968 when the first full-time Chaplain to the Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps was appointed and Police Chaplaincy slowly spread across England. During the 1980’s and the 1990’s it grew rapidly. In 1988 there were 20 chaplains serving UK policing and by the mid 1990’s there were 80.
In 1985 the Chief of GMP wrote a paper recognising the importance of chaplains in Division and at training school and by 1990 a conference of police chaplains was taking place.
By 1998 there were full-time posts in the Metropolitan Police, West Midlands, Hampshire and Durham. Funding was very varied. In the Metropolitan Police, the costs (apart from expenses which are borne by the Police) come from the Diocese of London. In the West Midlands, the post was funded by four Anglican dioceses. In Durham, the bulk of the salary came from the Police. In Hampshire, half the salary came from the Baptists, with the other Churches taking a share of the remaining costs. Part-time posts existed in the West Mercia Police and Northumbria Police, both with substantial Police contributions to salary. By 1998 there was a biannual Police Chaplains' Conference at Swanwick, attended by 35 Chaplains.
The National Association of Chaplains to the Police (NACP) was formed in 2000 to provide advice, guidance, training and resources to police chaplains and the Rev Poole became their senior coordinating chaplain. But change really occurred in 2003s when one of the HMIC’s – Robin Field-Smith came to Police from an army background where Chaplains are enshrined in military law and asked the Police where are your Chaplains? In a report he said ‘all forces should have resources in place to meet the spiritual needs of police officers and police staff, whilst respecting the diversity of faiths and beliefs both inside the service and in the communities which they serve”
In January 2013 a paper was presented to Chief Constable’s Council that recognised the growth, value and worth of Police Chaplaincy and supported a number of recommendations to ensure its continuing and ongoing development and in 2017 the National Association of Chaplains to the Police reformed as Police Chaplaincy UK as we are known today
our 24-25 GOALS
1
2
Inclusivity
We are committed to being an inclusive organisation, embracing chaplains of all faiths and beliefs, as well as those with no religious affiliation. We shall provide an environment where everyone feels valued and respected and our Board will reflect the diversity of those we serve. We have 10 full time paid Lead Chaplains and 11 part time paid Lead Chaplains.
Diversity is slowly increasing, out of our Leads, 2 follow non-Christian faiths, (which isn’t enough but is a start) and we have around 70 volunteers from different faiths, the largest being Islam.
3
Advocacy
We will be strong advocates for the importance of chaplaincy within the Police. We will highlight the vital role chaplains play in supporting officers' mental and emotional well-being, as well as fostering positive community relations and our National Chaplain will be central to this.
Professional Development
To be a professional body, we must invest in the continuous development of our chaplains. Training, education, and mentorship programs will be central to our efforts.
Police Chaplaincy UK wants to ensure that our chaplains are professionally trained and developed and we are committed to supporting policing through this offer. To do this effectively we need to ensure that all active chaplains in policing are members of Police Chaplaincy UK.
4
Ethical
We will uphold the highest ethical standards in our chaplaincy work, ensuring that our presence within the police force is a beacon of integrity and trust.
oUR nATIONAL cHAPLAIN
“The role of National Chaplain will help to lead, support and develop Chaplaincy in UK Policing. Our aim is to have Chaplaincy at the heart of Policing and the National Chaplain will play a key role in promoting the aims of Chaplaincy across all forces and policing bodies. The National Chaplain will work with the Board of Police Chaplaincy UK (PCUK) to achieve the strategic vision of PCUK becoming the professional body for all Chaplains in UK Policing. Provide visible leadership for Police Chaplaincy across the service. Support the work and role of Lead Police Chaplains.”
In April 2023, Canon David Wilbraham stepped down as National Chaplain, with Rev Dom Jones temporarily filling the role as Acting National Chaplain.
By September 2023, interviews were conducted to appoint a permanent National Police Chaplain, and out of 48 candidates, Matthew Hopley from Warwickshire police was selected.
The connection between chief executives and charity chairs has been likened to that of good neighbours: they support each other when needed, but should not be overly involved in each other's affairs. Striking the right balance is crucial to avoid wasting resources and causing issues for the charity.
48 APPLICANTS
The Charity trustees hold the ultimate control and legal responsibility for the charity. Our Chair leads the Board, ensures smooth board meetings, and collaborates with the CEO to shape the organization's vision.
The National Police Chaplain oversees the day-today operations, serves as the primary advocate for Police Chaplains nationwide, and garners support from the Board.
Training
Induction
Induction training is one of Police Chaplaincy UK’s way of serving chaplains. Courses have happened in the last 12 months in 5 Forces with over 60 chaplains being trained. Essex
South Yorkshire Derbyshire Avon & Somerset Greater Manchester Courses are now charged at £100 per delegate and a small training team has been developed.
After many years of training the Board gave their thanks to Adrian Gatrill as he stood down from his role of Induction trainer.
His dedication and commitment have laid a strong foundation for future trainers and chaplains alike. Stepping into Adrian's shoes, the new trainers are eager to build on his legacy, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the induction process.
The training team is now focusing on enhancing the curriculum to include more interactive sessions, real-life scenarios, and mental health support, ensuring that every chaplain is well-prepared for the challenges they may face. Feedback from previous courses has been overwhelmingly positive, with many chaplains expressing gratitude for the valuable skills and knowledge they have gained.
60 CHAPLAINS TRAININED
Lead chaplains
In Oct 2023 a Lead Chaplains conference was held at Yarnfield park and attended by 29 Lead Chaplains. This served as a time of networking and upskilling and will repeated in 2025. In the past Police Chaplaincy UK has held summer training conference and Lead Chaplains conference bi-annually and this will now become the pattern again.
Attendees had the opportunity to share their experiences, challenges, and best practices, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
As the conference concluded, there was a palpable sense of renewed purpose and enthusiasm among the chaplains. Plans were already being discussed for the next gathering in 2025, with a focus on building upon the successes of last year's event and addressing emerging challenges in the field. The commitment to continuous learning and support within the chaplaincy community remains steadfast, ensuring that those who serve are well-prepared to meet the needs of those they support.
CPD
Discussion began in early 2024 to create a bespoke package of CPD E-learning courses for chaplains and we hope to have made progress on this by next year.
POLICE CHAPLAINCY
Police Chaplaincy UK is deeply committed to integrating spirituality into the well-being initiatives of police forces across the UK. While the concept of well-being is gaining traction in various workplaces, spirituality often gets sidelined, despite its crucial role in shaping psychological health. Every psychological intervention is underpinned by a philosophy of personhood, and this is where chaplaincy steps in, advocating for spiritual care alongside other well-being measures.
Policing is inherently a spiritual vocation, drawing individuals who seek to serve a higher purpose, much like clergy. Both professions are driven by a desire to serve, to minister to others, and to refine one’s character through service. The challenges faced by police officers—dealing with heinous crimes such as murder, child abuse, and domestic violence—are deeply spiritual, shaking their core beliefs and values. Chaplains provide crucial support in these moments, offering a safe space for officers to process their experiences.
The role of chaplains extends beyond religious boundaries. As highlighted by a Force medical officer, spirituality encompasses emotional needs like feelings of guilt, isolation, and lack of self-worth. Police Chaplaincy UK recognizes this broad definition of spirituality and strives to meet the spiritual needs of all officers and staff, regardless of their religious beliefs. Chaplains respect the individuality of each person, valuing their unique stories and providing attentive listening without imposing their own narratives.
In essence, Police Chaplaincy UK aims to ensure that every police force in the UK invests in and supports chaplaincy, recognising its vital role in the holistic well-being of officers and staff. By doing so, they advocate for a more inclusive understanding of well-being that honours the spiritual dimensions of human experience.
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500
CHAPLAINS
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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Readers appreciate
accurate information
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Our Board of Trustees convenes 3-4 times annually, both virtually and in person. Trustees assume diverse roles and engage in various projects throughout the year. This year, we facilitated midterm elections, with upcoming elections scheduled for the summer of 2024. Each time, we received more nominations than available positions, which is a promising sign.
FUNDING
£0
CENTRALL FUNDING
Police Chaplaincy UK income is entirely reliant on self generated funds and donations.
Police Chaplaincy UK has not received grants, funding or payments from forces or Offices of Crime Commissionaire’s for the operation or management of the charity.
All of the charities trustees are volunteers who give of their time and abilities in addition to any responsibilities they have with their local force.
Induction Courses do provide a income, however once trainers expenses and delivery costs are take into account, this is nominal income.
Chaplaincy Training Conferences have previously generate a small surplus dependant on the volume of delegate registrations and conference operating costs.
Police Chaplaincy UK focussed in 2023 changing its organisational structure from a limited company to a charitable incorporated organisation. This is ongoing and expected to be completed by the Autumn.
The company bank balance started in January 2023 with a balance of £22,914.77 . It finished the year with a balance of £9,935.59 . The major expenditures for the Company in 2023 were the Lead Chaplain’s Conference (£6,126), accountancy fees (£1,200), and a donation to the charity account (£5,000).
The charity opened its bank account in the summer and starting its use from September 2023.It finished the year with a balance of £6,621.26 . The primary income, beyond the donation from the company account, was a donation from Police Mutual to support this conference (£3,000). Outgoings were primarily expenses in relation to running induction courses and other expenses.
2023 saw a loss of £6,357.92 . This is an expected loss, in the year where we do not hold our biannual conference.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For thg parlod from To 01-Jan-23 3111212023 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to th• n•aro&t to th• n•arnst£ to tho n•aroit£ to th• n81 E tot n•8rn8t È A1 R•c•lpt8 Conlerence spon50r5hlp Donation 3,000 5.000 3,000 5,000 ross Income or AR) 8,000 8,000 8•t an (Jee tabl•l. nv•8tm•nt Sa Total r•c•lpts 8,000 A3 Pa m•nt• ConferenGe costs ble cosi 1,219 160 1,219 160 Sub total 1,379 1,379 A4 Assfrt and Invfrstmfrnt ur¢ha•tr¥ se¥ tablg Sub total Total payments 1.379 1,379 Not of r•¢olpts/(paym•nts) A5 Transfers between funds A6 CaBh funds last ygar gnd Cash funds this year end 6.621 6,621 6,621 ££££ 6,621 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 0111012024
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to n&ara8t £ Restricted funds to nearn8t £ Endowment funds to nea11£ Catègorles Details B1 Cash funds Natwest Bank Account.. 71630457 6.621 Total cash funds 6,621 {agre4 bolanc•swllh repts And poymgN6 Unrestricted funds to nearest £ RtrIcted fund8 to nèar0Jt £ Endowmgnt funds Oetalls Fund whlch a•i•t b•lon Curr•nt valuo Detail¥ Fund lo whlch 88i•t b•lon Curr•nt ¥alu• Uonal Detall• Co•1 lopWon•ll 84 Assots rotalntd for th• ¢h4rlty'$ own u80 Fund io whlth relates unt IloMI Wn dug Details B5 Liabilities Signed by on8 Iwo Irust8es On behaff of all the trustees Signature Print Name Dale of roval D.Jones Rev D J F Jones 25.06.24 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 0111012024
The Charity income of Police Chaplaincy UK falls below the audit threshold of £25,000 however they are examined by a suitably qualified volunteer from another charity in line with the Charites Act.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Board of Police Chaplaincy UK
The College of Policing The National Police Chief’s Council
Police Chaplaincy UK 50 Broadway London SW1H 0BL www.policechaplaincy.uk comms@policechaplaincy.uk