About & Safeguarding

Breathing Space

Safeguarding

Statement of safeguarding principles

The Breathing Space is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for everyone, especially for children, young people and vulnerable adults. It shares its Safeguarding Policy with St Michael and All Angels and which has adopted and approved the Church of England policy for promoting a safer church. This policy deals with all aspects of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.  To read our Safeguarding policy please click here

Putting Heart and Soul into Health and Wellbeing

Breathing Space provides a rural church base in an idyllic setting for groups, organisations and individuals to explore and improve their overall health and well-being. We run courses, activities and events that make use of our beautiful 800 year old church environment (St. Michael’s & All Angels Church) and local nature reserve (Witton Dene). Our activities are informed by the Five Ways To Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Learn, and Give.We are committed to a caring and compassionate response to people’s needs that has, as its source, an open, inclusive & non-discriminatory Christian spirituality. Encouraging individuals to explore creative ways to maintain positive health & wellbeing.

Why the community needs us

County Durham and Darlington have some of the highest levels of worklessness, with mental health cited as the number one cause. The practical activities will allow participants to remove themselves from familiar and anxiety-making surroundings. By focussing on a new practical challenge, participants will improve their confidence and self-esteem. We use the local natural environment to support physical, mental & emotional wellbeing and encourage participation as a pathway to physical activity and as an antidote to social isolation.

Our impact on the community

Groups of volunteers working together and tackling new challenges will create a stronger local community; and courses and events run from the church will enable new friendships to form. The work undertaken in Witton Dene and in conserving the network of footpaths will provide opportunities for learning, and improve the natural environment for everyone from dog-walkers to bird-watchers. Exercising and spending time in the fresh air are vital to emotional and mental well-being.

Project Officer

Our Project Office is Katie Adams who comes to us with a background in charity work, psychology and mental health support.

She lives in Durham with her husband and two daughters and joined Breathing Space at the end of 2023.

Charity

Breathing Space is a registered charity (number 1148676) and partners with a wide variety of health and wellbeing organisations, charities and group