University of Cumbria joins Carlisle Cathedral Safeguarding Season

Safeguarding Season returned for the fifth year to Carlisle Cathedral from 10-21 November, with the University of Cumbria joining for the first time.

The focus of this year’s season has been suicide prevention and awareness, reflecting on the tragic reality of suicide within the communities of Cumbria where rates of suicide are 50 per cent higher than the national average.

Through prayer, reflection, training and worship, the Safeguarding Season supported those affected by suicide and offered meaningful opportunities for staff, volunteers and members of the community to learn more.

The two-week season was organised by Carlisle Cathedral, working in partnership with the Diocese of Carlisle, the University of Cumbria and LOUDfence as well as the Cumbrian-based suicide prevention and suicide bereavement charity, Every Life Matters.

The initiative included a dedicated place of prayer within the 900-year-old cathedral, where visitors had opportunity to light candles and tie coloured ribbons, each one themed, to a prayer tree. This was reflected across the University of Cumbria's campuses across the country - Carlisle, Barrow, Ambleside, Lancaster and London - allowing staff and students to participate too.

All ribbons were moved to a LOUDfence installation within the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral, to offer a powerful visual representation of those affected by safeguarding matters.

This year, suicide alertness bitesize training sessions have also taken place across the course of the two-week Safeguarding Season, delivered both online and in person, by led Every Life Matters. More than 250 people attended sessions.

Emma Bales, Director of Student Services at the university, said: “With our mission to support our communities to thrive, the health and wellbeing of our staff and students is paramount to us. Throughout this Safeguarding Season, our Student Services and Chaplaincy teams have been leading activities and awareness raising opportunities across our campuses and university community. Thank you to all those who have supported the season through training and prayer trees, similar to the one at Carlisle Cathedral."

The Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, said: “Carlisle Cathedral’s 'Safeguarding Season' enables us to focus on the centrality of Safeguarding in all that we do. There has been an engagement with the painful reality of suicide, which has included over 250 people participating in training through Every Lives Matters. Hundreds of people have shared prayers on a series of prayer trees, including ones on all the campuses of the University of Cumbria. The LOUDfence in front of the Cathedral enabling voices to be heard has once again aided many to share their own experiences and seek to commit to ensuring a better future. I am very grateful to all who have enabled these activities and for the care of Benjamin Carter as Carlisle Cathedral’s Canon Warden, who has led on this important part of Cathedral life.” 

Anyone affected by the issues around suicide are encouraged to contact the Samaritans who are free to talk to on 116 123.