Standing in the Gap: Resources around staying safe and maintaining healthy boundaries in social action

“Standing in the Gap”  is a 1-day training for churches, to help churches stay safe and manage boundaries in challenging social action contexts.

The training using a range of  video case studies, discussions,  video and in person de-escalation training.

Below is the downloadable work book from the training, and links to resources mentioned as part of the training.

(We may add to this resource list as we discover other useful links!) 

 The Mind & Soul Foundation- Boundaries In Pastoral Care

ROBES project-  Challenging Conversations

Join the Dots – Equipping faith organisations and their teams to become trauma informed

Trauma Informed Churches – Resources and training for churches to create safe spaces for every generation to find hope, healing and recovery.

Alliance for Dignified Food Support – especially  ‘Diginity Principles & Recommendations’

Church Urban Fund – guide to working well with volunteers including editable templates for risk assessment, expectations and problem solving

Mind –  especially ‘Guide to mental health issues’  and ‘Guide to addictions and how drug and alcohol  affects you’

BEAT– Eating Disorder support and advice

Church of England Safeguarding portal (login needed, online, free)

• Basic Awareness Training (essential for all church volunteers)
• Foundation Awareness Training (essential for all church volunteers)
• Leadership (for those leading churches and ministries)
• Domestic Abuse awareness module
• Modern Slavery awareness module

Diocese of London – Personal Safety &  Lone Working Training (in person, free to Diocese of London clergy)

Methodist Church – God Welcomes All: How faith  informs safeguarding (study guide, free)

Zero Suicide Alliance –  Suicide Awareness Training (online, free)

Thrive LDN- Trauma-informed Practice Training (online, free if in London)

Housing Justice – Trauma Informed Practice in Night Shelters for Volunteers (guide and e-learning, free)

MHFA England (and other providers)- Mental Health First Aid– (in person, usually paid)

Free Courses in England – Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health First Aid – (online, free)

Shelter – Professional Boundaries (in-person or online, paid)

Sunday School for Misfits with Dr Selina Stone: Trauma Theology and Remaking the Self with Dr Karen O’Connell

Living Church podcast: Radical Welcome, Good Boundaries with Revd Liz Goddard

Compassionate Communities –  Hunger Trauma in Foodbanks and other community food projects

NHS Hampshire CAMHS  – De-escalation

Dartmouth Trauma Intervention Research Centre – Calming & De-escalation Strategies

Douglas, J. N. (2023). Trauma: Building a Trauma-Informed Worshipping Community. Cambridge: Grove Books (Grove Pastoral Series, P175).

Knight, G. & Knight, J. (2009). Disturbed by Mind and Spirit: Mental Health and Healing in Parish Ministry. London: Mowbray.

McClintock, K. A. (2020). Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care: How to Respond When Things Fall Apart. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Grosch-Miller, C. A. (2004). Trauma and Pastoral Care. Norwich: Canterbury Press

Cook, C. C. H. & Hamley, I. (2020). The Bible and Mental Health: Towards a Biblical Theology of Mental Health. London: SCM Press.

Kolber, A. (2020). Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode—and into a Life of Connection and Joy. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Momentum.