If you are in immediate danger, please contact the emergency services on 999 now. Do not wait for a response here.

If you need help with this form, you can reach us at office@eastgate.org.uk or by calling 01474 873040.

How it works

Safe Church is run by a dedicated Safe Church team. Helen Matthews, Francis Gregory, David Koya and Kate Seager – a group of four members from our wider Safeguarding team who are not trustees, leaders, or staff. You can see who they are on our Safeguarding page.

We work alongside Thirtyone:eight, an independent Christian safeguarding organisation, who can provide us with external advice.

When you submit this form, your information is sent directly and only to the Safe Church team. It is not visible to Eastgate’s leadership or trustees.

A team member will make initial contact by phone within 5 working days. They will arrange a time for a more detailed confidential conversation by phone, Zoom, or in person. You’re welcome to take as much time as you need – there’s no pressure to share more than you’re comfortable with.

Your information will not be shared with Eastgate’s leadership or trustees without your consent, unless you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm.

What happens next

•  You’ll receive an automatic confirmation email as soon as you submit, letting you know your message has arrived safely and securely.
• Your referral is picked up by the on-duty Safe Church team member.
• They will contact you within 5 working days by phone for a confidential initial conversation.
• Together you will agree what happens next. This may include closing the matter, signposting you to further support through Thirtyone:eight, or – with your consent, or where there is a risk of harm – escalating for further safeguarding action.
• Once your case is closed, you will receive a formal closure record summarising what was looked into and the outcome.

For more about how Eastgate approaches safeguarding, and to see who is part of our Safe Church and Safeguarding teams, visit our Safeguarding page.

Privacy Notice – Thirtyone:Eight

• Records of Listening Service sessions with a client, and any referrals received through this provision for Eastgate, are retained by Thirtyone:eight for 75 years.
• Documentation relating to arranging appointments and administrative matters is deleted soon after the work is completed.
• Schedules and contracts are retained for 7 years.

Full details are set out in Thirtyone:eight’s Privacy Notice.

Privacy Notice – Eastgate

• When you submit this form, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and the details you share with us. If you have an initial conversation with a Safe Church team member, notes from that conversation are also recorded.
• We use this information to respond to your referral and to help keep people in our church community safe.
• Your information is seen only by the on-duty Safe Church team member handling your referral. We may also consult Thirtyone:eight for independent safeguarding advice.
• Your information will not be shared with Eastgate’s leadership or trustees without your consent, except where you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm.
• Your information is stored securely on a password-protected drive accessible only to the Safe Church team, in line with ThirtyOne:Eight, we keep this information for 75 years after the case is closed.
• You have rights under UK GDPR including the right to access, correct, or in some circumstances request deletion of the information we hold about you.
• This notice should be read alongside Eastgate’s main Privacy Policy.