Every year, we support parishes to submit key data to the National Church Research and Statistics department: Statistics for Mission, Finance Statistics and the Energy Footprint. This data is usually collected and submitted by churchwardens, PCC secretaries/treasurers, parish administrators or clergy. You can find out more about how this data is used on the Church of England’s Data Services website, Church of England Data Services.
The Data Services Unit uses your information to provide parish-level information, an interactive parish map and to analyse church attendance, parish finances and ministry, as well as cathedral and college chapel attendance.
You enter your data onto the Parish Returns website; this user guide provides detailed information on how to use the system. If you have not used the Parish Returns system before, need support with your login or password details, or are unable to submit your data online, please contact the Parish Support team for assistance, parishsupport@salisbury.anglican.org or call 01722 411922.
Statistics for Mission 2025
Submission deadline: 31 January 2026
Statistics for mission matter – not because numbers matter for their own sake, but because every number represents a person, a story and our shared mission to Make Jesus Known.
Why statistics for mission matter
Statistics for mission help your parish, the Diocese and the national Church understand what is happening on the ground. By submitting your annual figures, you help build a clear, accurate picture of:
-
Attendance at services
-
The size and makeup of our worshipping community
-
Trends in mission, growth and local needs
-
Baptisms, weddings and funerals
-
Community engagement
This information is used to support parish planning, deanery strategies, diocesan investment, mission development and even grant applications.
If a parish does not send in its data, the national Church will estimate figures, which means the picture may not reflect the reality in your parish. Submitting your real figures ensures your parish is accurately understood and properly supported.
How your data helps
In your parish
Your data feeds directly into the Parish Dashboard. This shows trends over time in attendance, occasional offices, worshipping community numbers and more. Parishes often use this information to shape mission planning, reflect on ministry, or support applications for grants and funding.
Across the Diocese
Your return helps the diocesan team to:
-
Identify where additional support or training may be valuable
-
Monitor emerging mission opportunities
-
Understand changing community needs
-
Plan diocesan priorities and programmes
At national Church level
The Church of England uses parish data to build a national picture of ministry. This helps identify shared challenges, encourage learning between similar parishes and guide wider strategy. Together, the data forms a rich picture of how churches across the country are serving their communities and growing disciples.
What you need to do
There are three ways you can submit your statistics for mission.
Online
This is the easiest way to submit your figures. You do this through the Parish Returns Portal, Parish Returns Portal.
On the portal, you can:
-
Save your progress at any time
-
Click the blue question marks if you need extra guidance
-
Automatically check for common errors
-
View and download previous years’ data
If you need an account set up, or a reminder of either your login details or password, the Parish Support team is here to help:
Email: parishsupport@salisbury.anglican.org
Phone: 01722 411922
Digital or paper forms
If you are unable to use the Parish Returns Portal, you can also:
- Complete a digital copy of the form, which you can download here, and return it to the Parish Support team at parishsupport@salisbury.anglican.org
- Print out and complete a hard copy of the form and return it to the Parish Support team, Emmaus House, The Avenue, Wilton, Salisbury SP2 0FG. If you do not have access to a printer, please contact parishsupport@salisbury.anglican.org with your details and the team will post a copy to you
By phone
The Parish Support team can help complete your return over the phone. Please call them on 01722 411922.
Important dates
The statistics for mission 2025 return covers 1 January – 31 December
Deadline for submission: 31 January 2026
If you have any questions about completing your statistics for mission return, please contact the Parish Support team. We are here to help. Thank you once again for your continued support and for all you do to serve your community and enable us to Make Jesus Known across our Diocese.