Contact

Parish leadership

Safeguarding

Safeguarding policy covers both children and vulnerable adults. That said, Safeguarding is for everyone as safe communities are a shared responsiblity.

Generally, Safeguarding Policy within the Catholic Church is guided by the independent Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency whom the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales entrust with policy and procedures.

Our Parish Safeguarding Representative is Jane Grenfell. All those who take a role in our parish or those involved with children or vulnerable adults are required to contact Jane before assuming their duties.

Jane is always happy to provide general information about safeguarding and good practice.

If any parishioner is worried about a current situation where children or vulnerable adults could be at risk, or is concerned about matters from the past, they can speak to Jane or directly to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team:

• Jane Grenfell: 07833 915724 — you can leave a message but please clearly state it is a safeguarding matter.
• Diocesan Safeguarding Team: 0121 230 6240
• Emergency number: 07916 516629

There is a poster in the church porch and a small blue booklet with information and contact details. Free CPD - accredited safeguarding e-learning - is available to every member of the Catholic community in England and Wales — please ask Jane for full details.

Archdiocese of Birmingham safeguarding page · Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency

Finance & Gift Aid

St Birinus church is part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and both church and parish buildings are Grade II listed. This listing adds another element of administation and of cost and consequently it is expensive to properly maintain the grounds and buildings. However, every endeavour is made to ensure we are financially self-sufficient. Presently, our principal source of income remains our offertory income.

Gift Aid

If you are a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid increases the value of your giving by 20% at no cost to you. Our Gift Aid and Planned Giving Coordinator, Judith Pignon. Our accounts are linked with those of the archdiocese of Birmingham where the full keeps record of Gift Aid donors and their gifts is held. The Diocese submits claims for Gift aAid and remits them to the parish. Higher-rate taxpayers can also reclaim additional tax relief. See the HMRC guidance on Gift Aid, or speak to Judith (see contacts above) to set up a Gift Aid declaration. Standing Orders are another effective way of making your offertory gift. It greatly reduces the admnisitration.

Special gifts

Additional Gifts intended specifically for the upkeep and improvement of our Grade II listed buildings and grounds can be sent to the Parish Adminisitrator. From time to time collections are made for specific purpsoe. Currently we have a fund set up for renovation of our car parrk. Additional fgifts for a specidfic purpsoe may also be directed to the Parish Adminisitrator.

Legacies

Potentially, the most important means of giving a gift is in your Will. Legacies great and small have long secured this patrimnoy of ours. These intergenerational gifts are the certain means of preserving our faith for the next generation of Catholics. Moreover both the parish and the Davey Consort CIO are charities so any gift you leave is not subject to Inheritance Tax. Please speak with John Murphy if you would like to learn more about the part legacies might play in our shared future.