Chris Brain has been found guilty on all remaining charges, following a retrial on the five charges the jury could not agree on in his original trial in 2025.
Read most recent statement below.
Independent support services
Thirtyone:eight has been commissioned to provide two independent support services before, during, and after the retrial. They will only share information as needed for safeguarding and risk management. Limited data, such as call volumes, may be shared with the Diocese for cost tracking or if the caller requests it to improve safeguarding practices. The services available are:
Specialist Helpline
The helpline team will be available to offer a supportive and listening ear to those affected by abuse. The helpline will provide a safe space for individuals to share some of their concerns and be signposted to appropriate third-party support. The team is comprised of experienced safeguarding professionals.
Listening Service
An opportunity for individuals to seek more in-depth support. This will be provided through an initial block of four one-hour sessions with further opportunity to offer support to survivors when attending court as a witness. The criteria for accessing this service is as follows:
- Those who are direct victims of abuse of incidents at the Nine O’Clock Service.
- Awaiting attendance at court to give evidence as a witness during the trial in 2026.
- Those involved with supporting a direct victim of abuse (either connected through family or from within the Nine O’Clock service/St Thomas Church, Crookes).
Both the Specialist Helpline and Listening Service can be accessed via thirty:one eight’s helpline 0303 003 1111 (or +44 1322 517817 internationally) quoting Nine O’clock Service Support, via e-mail to helpline@thirtyoneeight.org (for the helpline) or listeningservice@thirtyoneeight.org (for the listening service) quoting Nine O’clock service. You can also be referred by the Diocesan Safeguarding Team.
Safe Spaces
A free and confidential independent support service for anyone who has been abused by someone in a church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England. The service is open to anyone over 18 who lives in England or Wales. Safe Spaces can help with advocating with authorities and other agencies, providing emotional support, understanding your needs and working on individual support plans.
Remote support is provided nationally through a helpline on 0300 303 1056. You can also email safespaces@firstlight.org.uk, or use the webchat service on the website safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Diocesan support services
Spiritual support
The Diocese of Sheffield has a number of members of clergy who are available to provide spiritual support during the time of the trial. These individuals are available to discuss issues of faith, the impact of this situation upon your faith, to offer prayer or other spiritual support. They are not trained counsellors. To access this support make a request through the email nos-support@sheffield.anglican.org where you will be linked up with an appropriate support person. Alternatively, call the safeguarding team to make the request.
Additional support options
Further Victim and Survivor Support can be found on our dedicated webpage.
You may also find the Church of England’s guidance Responding Well to Victims and Survivors of Church Based Abuse helpful at the bottom of this page.
If you would like support to access any of the services highlighted or would like to discuss any concerns with the Diocese please contact the safeguarding team. We have three safeguarding advisors who will ensure your need for support is communicated with the appropriate service. To speak to one of our advisors email: nos-support@sheffield.anglican.org
Safeguarding Practice Review and the Nine O’Clock Service
The Safeguarding Practice Review relating to the Nine O’Clock Service, announced by the Bishop of Sheffield in September 2025, will start once the re-trial of Chris Brain has concluded. This is to ensure that it does not prejudice the trial in any way. It also allows the review to be informed by the full outcome of the legal process and can be carried out appropriately and responsibly. In the meantime, work is underway to identify and appoint an independent Chair and a reviewer. We are keen to engage survivors in all aspects of the review process, if you would like to be part of this please email nos-support@sheffield.anglican.org.
Media statements
