Safeguarding

Promoting a Safer Church

Otley Parish Church works hard to safeguard children and young people, vulnerable adults and those in abusive relationships. We aim to create a safe environment where children and young people are nurtured and protected and where all people, especially those who may be vulnerable for any reason, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey with encouragement and in safety.

View the Church’s Safeguarding Policy Statement here

All those working with children and vulnerable adults are CRB checked and must complete appropriate modules of the Church of England Safeguarding Training. Otley Parish Church follows the national legal and procedural framework for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and Church of England policy and practice detailed in "Promoting A Safer Church"

We will act promptly on any complaints made and work in close partnership with police and social care services where children or vulnerable adults have been harmed or are at risk of harm or mistreatment. We provide safe recruitment, training and support to our voluntary and paid workers with children and vulnerable adults. We care for those who have been abused in the past and minister appropriately to those who have abused. See contact details below:
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Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome!

OPC in Springtime The following information is specifically for those planning a visit on a Sunday morning, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect. You are also welcome to visit the church building during the week for private prayer or simply to look round. It is normally open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Where and When: We meet at Otley Parish Church (map here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. The church is 2 minutes walk from Otley Bus Station. On-street parking is limited, but there is a small, public (free) carpark opposite the church on Burras Lane. Nearby is Sainsbury's who also allow parking up to 4 hours. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

Refreshments: We serve tea, coffee and biscuits after the 10:30am service and you are most welcome to stay for this. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to look around the anchient building. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: The main part of the church is fully accessible, and there is a hearing loop for anyone who needs it. For the main service there are no service books since everything is displayed on screen. Do let us know if you find this difficult since we aim to have some large print material available. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. We have flexible seating and can accomodate wheelchair users to suit their needs. There is a disabled toilet in the south entrance foyer and further toilets up the stairs.

Our Services: The main Sunday service begins at 10.30am and lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. See our Main Sunday Service page for details of the monthly pattern of services. You can also view services on our YouTube Channel to get a taste of what happens.

See our Other Services page for details of other weekly and monthly services.

What about my children?

One sevice a month (3rd Sunday) is usually all-age where everyone is together and the format is child friendly. For other Sundays we have special provision for children and young people:

Sunday Club - Separate groups for those from age 1 to the end of Primary School
OPC Youth - For those in school years 7 to 10

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome and the opening song before they are invited to go to their various groups. Children going out need to be registered before the service as part of our child safety policy.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up later in the service when an announcement is given.

There is much more going on during the week at Otley Parish Church which you can see on the Church Calendar.

Get in touch with us if you would like any more information:

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

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Safeguarding

Promoting a Safer Church

Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome!

What about my children?

Get in touch with us if you would like any more information:

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:

Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

We will contact you by email to say hello and help answer any questions.

Note that the Church Office is only staffed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so a reply may not be immediate!