Authorised Listeners

Two wooden figures stand facing each other. Each stands on a small tower of wooden blocks. They can't quite reach each other.Dignity & Respect in Ministry and at Work

The Church should foster relationships of the utmost integrity, truthfulness and trustworthiness. Abuse, harassment and bullying will not be tolerated in the diocese.

The Dignity & Respect in Ministry and at Work policy explains the standards expected and details the procedures to be followed for those who feel they’ve been subjected to bullying or harassment.

As part of our commitment to embed a culture of mutual respect, our pool of authorised listeners are available to hear any bullying and harassment concerns.

Hear from Hannah, one of our listeners, on BBC Radio:

Get to know the listeners below, then use the contact form to get in touch.

Contact form

The Revd Margaret Dixon

Margaret is the vicar of a rural parish in west Oxfordshire. She trained in youth and community work and has many years of experience listening to and building relationships between churches and schools.

Margaret passionately believes that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect and has the right to be heard.

Margaret currently has limited availability. 

Use the contact form to get in touch.

The Revd Hannah Akibo-Betts

Hannah is an ordained non-stipendiary priest within the Milton Keynes area. As a former management accountant, she has worked in both the NHS and Local Government.

Hannah’s training as a Christian counsellor, coupled with life experiences, have equipped her with the skills that will help her to listen to other experiences with empathy. She has a preference for supporting individuals within the areas of racial discrimination and bullying while serving as a curate.

Hannah’s availability will be arranged after initial contact although is likely to be Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

Use the contact form to get in touch.

Pauline Cruickshank

Pauline lives in north Oxfordshire and is semi-retired. She is a counsellor and relationship therapist and works with a large insurance company providing therapeutic support to their clients, whilst also being an artist and crafter.

Pauline is a layperson who has a good understanding of the workings of parish life as she was married to a clergyman who sadly passed away in 2017.

Pauline is committed to providing a supportive connection through a safe and confidential conversation and is available on Thursdays and Fridays.

Use the contact form to get in touch.

The Revd Geoff Maughan

Geoff is a retired priest, a spiritual director and pastoral tutor to people training for ministry in the diocese. He has been a training incumbent and Director of Ministry at Wycliffe Hall Oxford.

Geoff is very interested in the way people exercise power in their relationships. Geoff lives near Wantage.

Use the contact form to get in touch.

Anne Kippax

Anne is an experienced HR director currently working for a social care charity supporting adults and young people with learning disabilities. She is a trained spiritual director who offers empathetic listening and professional experience to support people experiencing difficult relationships in their working lives.

Anne believes that everyone should be able to be the person God created them to be.

Anne lives near Aston Clinton, Wendover and Aylesbury and is available evenings and weekends.

Use the contact form to get in touch.

The Revd Andrew Foran

Andrew has been ordained for over 30 years and has served most of his ministry as a full-time prison chaplain. He is now in active retirement with PTO in the Archdeaconry of Dorchester.

Andrew has much experience of understanding the hurt and damage that being harassed and bullied can do to self-value and self-worth. He believes it is important for people to have trusted space and time to be heard.

Andrew is available reasonably flexibly throughout the week, face to face locally, online or by phone.

Use the contact form to get in touch.

Emma Firth

Emma is a chartered accountant and HR professional, who has always had a particular interest in team-building and how team members interact with each other. She believes that a central tenet of any workplace is that God created us all in his image. As such are all worthy of the same dignity and respect.

Emma began part-time training for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon in autumn 2021. She is available relatively flexibly throughout the week.

Use the contact form to get in touch.

Edna Annette Strange

Edna is a Licensed Lay Minister serving the parish of St Laurence, Warborough, and the Dorchester team, and is an Archdeaconry Adviser for the deaneries of Aston & Cuddesdon, Bicester and Islip and Henley. She is also a voluntary chaplaincy member working at the John Radcliffe.

Edna hopes that she will bring empathy, understanding and the ability to be a good listener. She is currently a Diocesan Authorised Listener for survivors of abuse. Edna is also a Diocesan Vocations Adviser.

Edna is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and is happy to travel within a 25/30-mile radius of her home.

Use the contact form to get in touch.

Page last updated: Thursday 18th January 2024 4:15 PM
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