At Soul Survivor Watford, we are committed to maintaining transparency, accountability, and excellence in all we do. Our governance structure ensures we operate effectively as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), serving our community and fulfilling our mission.

We are part of the Church of England and fall under the oversight of the Diocese of St Albans. As a Bishop’s Mission Order (BMO), we have a mandate to reach those who might not engage with traditional forms of church, while staying rooted in Anglican structures and values.

Structure

Soul Survivor Watford is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and a Church of England ministry under a BMO, our governance is shaped by both charitable law and ecclesiastical oversight. This dual accountability strengthens our commitment to integrity and faithful service.

There is a Board of Trustees who are responsible for the overall governance of Soul Survivor Watford. The Executive Leadership of the Church are responsible for building the strategic direction of the church and are accountable to the Trustees who ensure that, as a charity, the church complies with its legal obligations, acts in the best interest of the congregation and operates in line with its mission. 

Roles

The collaborative relationship between the Trustees, the Diocese of St Albans, and the Exec Team ensures the charity’s goals are met while maintaining integrity and compassion, and maximising impact in all we do. 

The Trustees are responsible for:

• Providing oversight and ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and Church of England regulations.

• Approving the charity’s strategic goals, policies, and annual budget.

• Monitoring financial health and ensuring appropriate use of funds.

• Supporting and challenging the Exec Team while respecting operational boundaries.

• Safeguarding the charity’s reputation and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Our Trustees

Staff Attendees

The Exec Team attend all Trustees meetings to offer updates and information as required. There are also other members of staff invited on an ad hoc basis to share insights from their ministry and operational areas. Staff attending Trustees meetings do not have voting rights.

If you would like to contact someone from the Exec Team, please visit the Meet The Team page for their contact email.

Bishop's Visitor

Meetings

Board Meetings

The Soul Survivor Watford Board of Trustees meet ten times a year. You can see a summary of the meeting minutes below.

Annual General Meeting

Every year, in October, we will hold an Annual General Meeting. This meeting is an opportunity for everyone who call Soul Survivor Watford home, to gather and hear about all-things church. We look back over the last year, look ahead to all that is coming up, hearing from trustees and staff team, and spend some time together asking and answering your questions. Finally,  there is a chance to hear about other things that are happening within the Diocese of St Albans, the Watford Deanery and more. You can  see the agenda from our most recent meeting below and we will share a summary of what was discussed soon. At the AGM we hold Trustee Elections with the next ones taking  place on Monday 5th October 2026. This will be an opportunity to vote in our second Elected Trustee - one person from within the church congregations who will be there to help govern the church and speak into it based on their standing within the family, rather than (just!) their skillset. 

The next AGM will be Monday, 5th October 2026, at 7.30 - 9.30pm.

Become a Trustee

Would you like to play your part in the vision and mission of Soul Survivor Watford by become a Trustee? We welcome applications from individuals who are passionate about our mission and can contribute their skills and experience to our Board of Trustees.

Types of Trustees

Recruited Trustees

Recruited Trustees are appointed through a traditional application process including shortlisting application and an interview with the current board. The focus of these Trustees are their experience and skills that they can offer to the board. They serve a fixed term of four years.

Elected Trustees

Elected Trustees are appointed by church attendees who participate in our Annual General Meetings (AGM), and bring the perspective of the congregation into Trustees discussions. Their application needs to be supported by other church attendees. They serve a fixed term of two years.

Routes to becoming a Trustee

Trustee Vacancies

We don’t currently have any vacancies on our board, but we will keep you posted when any become available. Each year we will recruit an Elected Trustee at our AGM in January to serve a two-year term. You can read the role description and find the application form below for your information. The Elected Trustee is voted for by those attending the AGM which is open to everyone who calls Soul Survivor Watford their home church. If you would like to contact the trustees, you can email sswtrustees@soulsurvivorwatford.co.uk.

Policies and Accountability

At Soul Survivor Watford, we believe in being transparent and ensuring the highest standards of governance, safeguarding, and compliance. Our policies are designed to protect all who engage with us and ensure our work aligns with our values. 

As a registered charity, Soul Survivor Watford is committed to:

• Preparing and publishing annual accounts in line with Charity Commission guidelines.

• Hosting an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to share updates with stakeholders.

• Upholding the highest standards of safeguarding, equality, and diversity.

For more information about our governance or to view our latest Annual Report, please contact us or visit the Charity Commission website.

Whistleblowing

Soul Survivor Watford is committed to being open, honest, and accountable. We actively encourage a free and open culture in all dealings between the congregation, volunteers, staff, trustees & workers. Tackling problems is vitally important to maintaining the overall health & well-being of the church and achieving its charitable aims. See more about our Whistleblowing policy below.

Safeguarding

Soul Survivor Watford is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk to worship and grow in Christ safely. This is done in a coordinated and supported manner and involves the Trustees, Executive Leadership and Safeguarding Lead of Soul Survivor Watford in collaboration with St Albans Diocese Safeguarding Team.
Concerns about children, young people and adults at risk will be diligently and promptly responded to according to our procedures, recognising the sensitivity it may hold for those involved.  

Policies

We are committed to the wellbeing and safeguarding of all. You can view our comprehensive policies, including safeguarding, by clicking the link below.

Fiona Scolding KC, Independent Report

In line with our commitment to accountability, we commissioned an independent review into our governance and practices in 2023. The Fiona Scolding KC Independent Report was released in September 2024 and provides an in-depth analysis of our operations and recommendations for growth and improvement. The report offered some recommendations for Soul Survivor Watford and,  in December 2024, the Trustees shared an update on the progress so far against the recommendations.