At St Thomas’s we are a warm and welcoming faith community. St Thomas’s has a long standing and friendly congregation who enjoy traditional services and Christian fellowship. We have the privilege of worshipping in the picturesque setting of the semirural Henbury village close to Broken Cross on the outskirts of Macclesfield. As well as meeting up with old and treasured friends we enjoy welcoming new members on Sunday morning for our regular service followed by tea and biscuits and a chat. The young families in the local community appreciate our historic and intimate setting to celebrate weddings and baptisms.
Our Mission Statement
To provide a focal point within Henbury and Broken Cross for the community to engage in and develop Christian worship and fellowship.
SAFEGUARDING
We take our duty and obligation to safeguard and protect all people extremely seriously, and we have adopted the national Church of England’s robust safeguarding procedures and guidelines. You can read the full document below.
The Parish of St Thomas’ Henbury and Broken Cross
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROMOTING A SAFER CHURCH
The following policy was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 1 July 2025
In accordance with the Church of England Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture.
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and
vulnerable adults within the church. - Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
- Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
- Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Parish will: - Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy
and procedures. - Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have
the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse. - Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in
the name of the parish. - Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding
concerns or support needs. - Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
- Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of
Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (DSA) and statutory agencies
immediately. - Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Care for and monitor any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst
maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties. - Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed
annually. - Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines
established by this church.
This church appoints Linda Craig as the Parish Safeguarding Officer – contact 01625 424505/07749453899/stthomashenbury@aol.com
Incumbent – (interim priest in charge) Rev. Canon Simon Bessant
Churchwardens None
Date: 1 July 2025
St Thomas’ Safeguarding Officer – Linda Craig
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm or you have experienced abuse, please don’t delay in reporting your concerns to:
Police:
Emergencies using 999 or 101 for non-urgent matters
Adult or Children’s Services of your Local Authority:
Find your Local Authority contact details via https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse-to-local-council
The Diocese of Chester takes its safeguarding responsibilities very seriously. We follow the House of Bishops’ Policy and Practice Guidance. These are published by the Church of England and can be found here.
Any individual who wishes to come forward with information or to make a disclosure in respect of a church based concern is encouraged to speak with their Parish Safeguarding Officer or to make direct contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
For all reporting and advice/enquires please email: safeguarding@chester.anglican.org.
(Please note, this email address is monitored between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.)
For general safeguarding enquiries, call 01928 718834 option 4 between the hours of 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
For out-of-hours safeguarding advice for Chester Diocese parishes, ring our partner organisation, Thirtyone:eight on 0303 003 1111.
An Information Sharing Agreement between the two organisations will allow for the DSA to receive a copy of the advice that Thirtyone:eight may offer the parish/caller to ensure appropriate follow up and support. Please make sure when contacting Thirtyone:eight that you inform them that you are calling from the Diocese of Chester.
Safe Spaces
We recognise that for those with lived experience of abuse from within the Church may want to speak to a different independent charity specialising in supporting victims and survivors of abuse. Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service that provides a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone (now over the age of 18) who has been abused by someone in the Church.
Contact Safe Spaces Helpline: 0300 303 1056
Monday to Friday: 9am – 9pm
Saturdays: 9am – 1pm
Sundays: 1pm – 5pm
Childline
Children and young people can call on 0800 1111
24 hours, 7 days a week.
Life Events
Baptism – a special welcome into God’s family
Wedding – planning your big day starts here
Funeral – we are here to support you in your loss and grief
Our church hall is well utilised by social activities for all age ranges, from Rainbows, Brownies and Guides for the young people to the Mothers’ Union, Probus and the WI (The Women’s Institute) for the more mature. The male members of the congregation enjoy the fellowship of regular meetings at the Bull’s Head in Broken Cross. There is weekly Air (activity in retirement) Table Tennis and Country Dancing for those (young and not so young) who crave something a bit more active. There are many other social events held at the church hall.
The C.A.M.E.O. (Come and meet each other) group meets twice monthly alternating between St Thomas Henbury and St John the Evangelist Macclesfield West with the opportunity to share Christian faith, fellowship and experiences across the two congregations.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
The renovation work of the church yard Lychgates is finally finished.
After 5 months of manufacturing issues and getting the right materials, brakets, paint finish and junction pipe fittings.
The story so far from the Lychgate page.
