Lay Ministries

Information for Spiritual Accompaniers

Practical resources and development opportunities

Thank you for offering spiritual accompaniment. We know just how many people value this ministry and keep you in our prayers. We do hope you find these pages helpful. They provide a resource you can access whenever you want.

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Accompanier resources (in alphabetical order)

Continuing development
Good practice
Insurance
Key dates
Leadership
Policies
Promotional material
Referrals
Reviews
Safeguarding
Supervision

Continuing development

Annual Gathering

To support continuing development, we hold our annual Spiritual Accompaniers’ Gathering over two or three days in November at Cliff College

In 2026, the dates are 27 and 28 November. The keynote speaker will be Julia Mourant, who built the world-renown Sarum Course in Spiritual Direction . We will send details to all spiritual accompaniers in the network.

In 2027, the dates are 26 and 28 November. (Note: This is three days and coincides with Advent Sunday. Please make necessary arrangements as needed. This was the only date we could book).

Resource evenings

We offer Quarterly Spiritual Accompanier Resource Evenings, both in person at Whirlow Spirituality Centre and online (see WSC website). We will send details of each event to all spiritual accompaniers in the network.

Libraries

The Resource Centre at Church House, Effingham Street, Rotherham S65 1BL has a wide range of resources. So too does Whirlow Grange.

Other providers

Some of our accompaniers have greatly valued online courses from other providers. These include:

Also:

Good practice

We expect:

Others may find this guidance helpful. Please to refer to your appropriate authorities.

For further advice, visit The Retreat Assocation’s Guidelines .

Insurance

Authorised Spiritual Accompaniers are insured for referrals through Sheffield Diocese provided no money changes hands. Whether you charge or not, please consider and reduce risks to those you accompany and to yourself.

If you invite donations or charge for accompaniment, you may consider public and professional liability insurance. At the time of writing, The Retreat Association recommend Oxygen.

Key dates

These dates and times may be subject to change. We will notify you where we can but please also check or get in touch if you become aware of any changes.

Sat 26 September 2026 at 1300 Celebration of Lay Ministries service – Sheffield Cathedral

28-29 November 2026 Autumn Gathering – Cliff College, Calver – speaker: Julia Mourant

Sat 18 September 2027 Celebration of Lay Ministries service

26-28 November 2027 Autumn Gathering – Cliff College, Calver – speaker Donna Worthington

Leadership

We are developing an open, inclusive, transparent approach to the leadership of accompaniers. We would be delighted if you wanted to use your skills or explore developing new skills. We encourage this in the spirit of accompaniment. So, if feel you have the gifts or are accompanying someone you think might be able to do one of the tasks below, we would love to hear about it. We welcome informal enquiries. Please contact Julian Raffay.

Wardens’ Team
  • The Wardens’ Team has responsibility for overseeing the Spiritual Accompanier Network.
  • Wardens’ Team Role Description and Person Specification to follow.
  • Referral Team (see below)
  • Supervision Team (see below)
Course facilitators

Payment is offered. Some facilitators receive it, others are voluntary.

Facilitator application form

Policies

These policies are provided for reference.

Should you not find what you’re looking for, use the search box above.

Promotional material

These resources are provided to help you to promote accompaniment in your church or elsewhere. Contact Julian Raffay before doing so if you intend anything extensive.

Note: The three presentations are identical but intended for different audiences.

Referral Team

Suzanna, refers all enquirers for spiritual accompaniment to a member of our Referral Team. After a conversation exploring the enquirer’s preferences and requirements, the referrer provides the contact details of two accompaniers.

To enquire about joining the Referral Team, contact Julian Raffay in the first instance.

Referral Team application form

Reviews

Regular reviews with those you accompany is good practice. The Annual Review with Accompanee document suggests how to go about this.

Your name may be suggested to an enquirer if the database says you are available. It is thus ESSENTIAL that you keep the Referral Team up to date with your availability. They will tell you if your name has been offered to an enquirer.

Reflective review and revision of details

Every year, we will ask you to complete the Reflective Review form to keep our records up to date. Please use this form to inform Suzanna about any changes. Please additionally notify her about any details as soon as convenient.

Safeguarding

The Diocese of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all Spiritual Accompaniers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to relevant Safer Recruitment processes.

Accompaniers of all denominations can complete their safeguarding training at the Church of England’s Safeguarding: Training Portal. This training is free of charge. To set up your account profile, please enter the name of the Church of England parish in which you live or “Sheffield Diocese” (whether you are Anglican or not).

At the time of writing, we recognise the Methodist Foundation Course as equivalent to our Basic and Foundation Courses.

Any accompanier who lets their safeguarding training lapse will not be offered any referrals pending their renewal of the appropriate courses.

Supervision

Supervision provides an opportunity to:

  • Share your practice in a confidential setting with a trained supervisor, or in a group led by a supervisor, or in a peer group
  • Explore feelings that may have arisen in you as you sit with your accompanees
  • Celebrate the joys of accompanying others

Supervision is vital for your safety and that of those you accompany. We expect you to have regular supervision.