Links

Guidance for churches

Safer Places of Worship
Safer Places of Worship is our dedicated website that provides general guidance on safety and protection issues relating to places of worship.
www.spow.co.uk

Church Alert
Church Alert is our website to help churches safeguard against metal theft. Throughout the website you will find advice and practical suggestions on how to protect your church and guidance on what you should do if it is targeted by thieves.
www.churchalert.co.uk

The Arson Prevention Bureau
The Arson Prevention Bureau is funded by UK Insurers, through the Association of British Insurers, to reduce the incidence and cost of arson. It achieves this by raising awareness, undertaking initiatives and working closely with other organisations.
www.arsonpreventionbureau.org.uk/

Child Protection
The Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) is the only independent Christian charity providing professional advice, support, training and resources in all areas of safeguarding children and for those affected by abuse.
http://www.ccpas.co.uk/

Financial & Insurance links

Financial Services Authority (FSA)
From 14 January 2005, the Financial Services Authority became responsible for regulating general insurance business. The Financial Services Authority is an independent non-governmental body, given statutory powers by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
www.fsa.gov.uk

Association of British Insurers (ABI)
The ABI, represents the collective interests of the UK's insurance industry. The Association speaks out on issues of common interest; helps to inform and participate in debates on public policy issues; and also acts as an advocate for high standards of customer service in the insurance industry. Congregational is a member of the ABI.
www.abi.org.uk

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
The FOS is an independent service set up to help settle individual disputes between consumers and financial firms. The Ombudsman can consider complaints about a wide range of financial matters, from insurance and mortgages to savings and investments. The service is free to consumers, who must first complain to the firm before the FOS can look into the case.

www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
The FSCS is the UK's statutory fund of last resort for customers of financial services firms. This means that FSCS can pay compensation to consumers if a firm is unable – or likely to be unable – to pay claims against it. In general this will be when a firm is insolvent.

The FSCS is an independent body which is free to consumers. Their website provides information about their work, how to claim, the limitations of the Scheme and how they are funded.
www.fscs.org.uk/

Insurance rebuilding costs calculator
To ensure that your home is properly covered you need to ensure that you have the correct rebuild cost of your home. This site will allow you to calculate the true rebuild cost of your home.
http://abi.bcis.co.uk

Exhibitions

Christian Resources Exhibition
CRE is the place for Church Leaders and those involved in Christian Ministry to network and meet with suppliers, charities and mission organisations.
www.creonline.co.uk

Christian Organisations

Faithworks
The Faithworks movement exists to empower and inspire local churches to develop their role at the heart of their community, in order to see the lives of individuals and communities transformed.
www.faithworks.info

Church and Charity Accountants

Independent Examiners Limited
The team at IEL accountancy works from its base in Chichester, West Sussex, to bring a range of solutions to the challenges that face churches, charities and small businesses.
www.independentexaminers.co.uk

Building Societies

The Ecology Building Society
The Ecology Building Society was founded in 1981. They are a mutual organisation and use the money deposited by their savers to grant mortgages on properties and projects that help the environment.
www.ecology.co.uk

Financial Advisors

Ethical Investors
Ethical Investors is recognised as the UK's leading specialist adviser on ethical, social and environmental investment. They can advise on bank accounts, investments, savings plans, pensions or life assurance policies.
www.ethicalinvestors.co.uk

Churches

Anglican: Church in Wales
Anglican: Church of England
Anglican: Church of Ireland
Anglican: Scottish Episcopal Church
Antiochian Orthodox Church
Assemblies of God
Baptist Union of Great Britain
Church of Scotland (Reformed)
Church of the Nazarene
Congregational Federation
Coptic Orthodox Church
Elim Pentecostal Church
Free Church of England
Greek Orthodox Church
Independent Methodist
Lutheran
Methodist Church
Methodist Church in Ireland
Moravian Church
Newfrontiers (UK)
New Testament Church of God
Presbyterian Church of Wales
Quakers (Society of Friends)
Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales
Roman Catholic Church in Ireland
Roman Catholic Church in Scotland
Salvation Army
Seventh Day Adventist Church
Union of Welsh Independents
United Free Church of Scotland
United Reformed Church
Vineyard Churches UK
Wesleyan Reform Union

Other

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
The Trust has worked for more than 60 years to maximise Yorkshire's modern landscape by protecting wildlife and wild places, and educating, influencing and empowering people. They manage 80 of the best sites and help others to manage theirs. Their work is helping to secure the future of many important habitats and species, which might otherwise be lost.
www.yorkshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk

Data Protection
Official website of the Information Commissioners Office, who deal with any aspect of the Data Protection Act.
www.dataprotection.gov.uk

Congregational & General Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, authorisation number 202089.