“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God”. The prophet Micah tells us what God requires of us, and this theme of our vision calls us to put our resources – spiritual, material, intellectual – to use in fulfilling this command and living full and flourishing lives.
The DBF’s work in promoting safe and flourishing communities through its safeguarding team, the encouragement to reflection and local action through the Justice Network, and awareness raising, training and campaigns rooted in a commitment to racial justice are all areas supported and progressed in 2025.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding continued to be a priority across the Diocese of Salisbury during the year, as we seek to create environments where people feel and are safe. The Diocesan Safeguarding team focussed on supporting parishes to effectively carry out their safeguarding responsibilities by providing online tools, advice and support. This included a monthly online session attended by up to 70 Parish Safeguarding Officers to share learning and good practice.
In the summer a data breach from our Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provider had a significant impact on many individuals and parishes. By this point we were already underway with a DBS Transition Project to introduce a new online safeguarding hub and change DBS provider. Around 75% of parishes have now signed up to the hub which allows them to record and monitor DBS and safeguarding training information for their volunteers and staff. The Diocesan Safeguarding team is rolling out training for using the new systems.
Seeing Differently: a Justice Network
The network began in 2025 out of a conversation between two people motivated to encourage learning and sharing about how we seek justice in our communities. It meets online bimonthly and offers in-person training twice a year. It has grown to more than 30 participants. Rosemarie Davidson, national minority ethnic vocations officer, offered allyship training to 15 participants, and the Wiltshire Deaf Association provided introductory training in British Sign Language. The network also offered two webinars exploring the conflict between Gaza and Israel, including a range of speakers from the Christian and Jewish faiths, and from across the UK.
Racial justice
Supported by a grant from the national church, the racial justice working group partnered with Gypsy Roma Traveller Friendly Churches, Salisbury Cathedral and Sarum College to hold Sanctuary Roads, a conference seeking to deepen the relationship between communities and the Church, and encourage the Church to do more to stand up to racism and discrimination.
The conference heard from speakers, including Revd Steven Horne, and others working in the fields of building relationships and combating racism. More than 50 per cent of the participants were from the community. A follow-up event is planned for 2026 to build momentum for change.
Share your story: Belonging
A series of videos shared on our social media channels in October 2025 explored what it means to belong and featured people from across the diocese. Here is Beatriz’s story.