In September 2021 our Trustees promised to update you all on progress with the various recommendations we received following the changes in leadership at Everyday Church. The main purpose of these recommendations is to ensure that all staff at Everyday Church are respected and appreciated. This is also extended as a principle to Elders, leaders and volunteers in the Everyday Church community.

A significant amount of Trustee time has been devoted to this over the last nine months. So, what have we been up to? 

A working group has met regularly and Simon Elliott and a number of Elders are actively involved in this process. The main points addressed, or currently underway, are as follows: 

• Trustees have all updated our safeguarding training and as a direct result of this, we are commissioning an audit of the safeguarding procedures at Everyday Church. This will take place in early 2023. 

• Trustees are making a conscious effort to be more visible to staff, Elders and members of the church.  We are visiting the different venues more regularly and now have a Trustee based in Sutton, rather than all of us being Wimbledon members. 

• We have planned a regular series of blogs to ensure everyone understands the role of Trustees. We are contactable at all times through our Everyday Church email addresses, which you will find at the end of this blog. 

• The Job Descriptions for Trustees and Elders have been updated to ensure a clear demarcation of responsibilities. 

• We are in the process of expanding the Trustee team to bring on board individuals with specific skills to ensure a well-rounded base for decision making. 

• We have started a complete review of our Staff Handbook, which will be completed by the end of 2022.  This will be cross-referenced with our safeguarding procedures to ensure that all staff can take a confidential route to get help or advice with any grievances should they not wish to approach anyone within Everyday Church. An anonymous route for whistleblowing will be included. 

• The Trustees’ Human Resources Working Group will be conducting six monthly reviews of staff well-being through “snapshot” pulse surveys.  The first of these has shown a significant improvement in staff happiness at work.  

• Staff are currently taking part in team building and well-being workshops and will be undergoing training in expected behaviours and dignity at work. 

• Line managers will have completed training in conducting appraisals in time for the 2022 appraisals this autumn and all leaders are to have documented mentor meetings, based on a standard set of questions. 

There is more to be done over the next year as we work on some of the longer-term recommendations and we will update you in due course. We would ask you to pray for Trustees, Elders, staff and volunteers as they continue to work together to maintain a Holy Spirit filled working environment at Everyday Church, where everyone can thrive. 

If you have any questions, please do get in touch. 

God bless.