Safeguarding Sunday: Action Speaks Louder

On Sunday 16 November 2025, churches will once again come together for Safeguarding Sunday – a national awareness-raising campaign led by Thirtyone:eight, the UK’s leading independent Christian safeguarding charity. Now in its 7th year, this campaign invites churches of every size, shape, and tradition to stop, reflect, and crucially – take action – to make our communities safer for all.

Last year, over 5,000 churches took part – from high churches to house churches – united by the simple belief that safeguarding matters.
We live in a time when trust in the Church has been shaken by revelations of abuse, neglect, and silence. Safeguarding Sunday 2025 doesn’t shy away from this truth. Instead, it boldly calls us forward – into the light – to become part of a new story. A better story. One of repentance, restoration, and real change.

This year’s theme, ‘Action Speaks Louder’, is both a challenge and an invitation.

Action Speaks Louder

We’re encouraging the church to move beyond just talking about safeguarding into taking action towards positive change.

Peter Wright, Head of Communications at Thirtyone:eight, says:

“When we look at the life of Jesus, he didn’t just teach, he took action which backed up his words through miracles and his interactions with people... It’s time for us to move from talking about safeguarding to taking action.”

Safeguarding is not an optional extra or a bureaucratic necessity. It is a gospel issue. It’s how we live out our calling to love our neighbour, defend the vulnerable, and create spaces where everyone – children and adults– can feel safe and be safe.

And this isn’t about shame or guilt. It’s about hope. It's about recognising what we’ve got right, learning from where we’ve fallen short, and being honest about what needs to change.

A Day to Reflect – and Act

Safeguarding Sunday is an opportunity for your church to:

• Celebrate the unsung heroes behind the scenes keeping people safe
• Reflect on how your community can grow in care, accountability, and transparency.
• Pray for healing, justice, and wisdom.
• Commit to actively building a culture where safeguarding is second nature.

Whether you can spare just a few minutes, or want to dedicate the whole service to the theme, every action counts. Be Part of Something Bigger!

Will You Join the Movement?

Taking part in Safeguarding Sunday is a practical way to demonstrate that your church takes safeguarding seriously – not just in policy, but in heart. It’s a chance to show your community that this is what love in action looks like.

Let’s make this year’s campaign the biggest yet.

Let’s amplify the good news stories in our churches.

Let’s raise our voices – and roll up our sleeves – because Action Speaks Louder.

Visit safeguardingsunday.org to register your church today and access your free resources to help you take part.

Together, we can tell a new story. Will your church be part of it?