The Community of Our Lady of Walsingham (COLW) is committed to safeguarding all children and adults – both the groups with whom we work and those adults who join our community.
For COLW this commitment directly relates to the fact that we are all made in the image and likeness of God and the Church’s common belief in the preciousness, dignity and uniqueness of every human life. We start from the principle that each person has a right to expect the highest level of protection, love, encouragement and respect. Following on from the safeguarding reviews in 2020 we are committed to the One Church Approach to safeguarding by implementing the changes needed and ensuring we respond to victim/survivors promptly and compassionately.
We are signed up to the standards set by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency. Our members receive training appropriate to their role through the Religious Life Safeguarding Service.
If during the course of your contact with COLW you have a concern about a child or adult, please contact our safeguarding lead Sr Theresa Weight by email: colwsafeguarding@gmail.com or call her on the community telephone no 01362 421442. Or contact the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) on 0151 5562311. If you are concerned that a child or adult is at immediate risk of harm, please call the police on 999.
For those discerning consecrated life.
As a community we have a preferential option for the young and spiritually poor. As part of our apostolate, we give formation and accompaniment to people who are discerning their vocation – whether they are called to marriage, religious life, priesthood, or single life – whatever their vocation. We also have a great desire to see consecrated life flourish in our country and for all communities to be a place where each person feels valued and respected and can grow to the fullness of life and love. In this regard, if you are discerning a vocation to a religious community, we recommend the following videos. They look at the red flags to watch out for (specific links to them below) and will help you discern if the community you feel drawn to will be a happy and healthy place in which you will be able to flourish.
