Communicating well

Tailoring your messages in a way that the people that you seek to reach (your audiences) can understand and engage with, including using the right language and methods of communication (your channels), is central to growing your parish, benefice or Lightwave group.  The Communications team can support you in reviewing who your audiences are and how you share good news and stories with them, via your existing or new channels, and offers advice and assistance in helping you respond to any press and media enquiries.

Weekly eNews

We also offer communications between the Diocese and our parishes, primarily via our weekly eNews (an email delivered directly to your inbox), this website and via our social media channels. We aim to share relevant information quickly and efficiently. 

Sign up for eNews | Weblink

Join us on our social media feeds

Our diocese has the following social media accounts. Follow us to keep up with the latest news and please do share our content. We're also happy to talk you through setting up an account for your parish church. 

Facebook page | Webpage

Twitter account | Webpage

Instagram account | Webpage

YouTube channel | Webpage

How to?

The communications team have produced a series of How to? help sheets for parishes, each giving an overview of the topic and top tips to develop communication skills.   The topics covered include video conferencing, live streaming, filming from a mobile phone, social media, Facebook insights, Communication planning, marketing audits, PR and more.  These are available in a easy to download format called 'Padlet' and are regularly updated, you can also share the Padlet link with others.  

How to? guides | Padlet

Social media policy

Please find below our social media policy, procedure and practice guide for Clergy, Office Holders and PCC/Benefices:

Social Media Policy | PDF

Media enquiries 

Suffolk-based PR agency Prominent PR are contracted by the Diocese to manage any potential negative reputational risks that may arise from media coverage. They can also assist with sharing good news stories with the wider-Suffolk public, via a range of media channels. As such, they are the first-point-of-support for any related press and media concerns.  When contacted by any representative of the press or media:

• Please do not make any personal comment or response.
• Record their name, details of who are they representing, their contact details and the issue that they would like to discuss (if they offer it, no need to investigate).
• Provide them with the contact details for Prominent PR - 01473 276127 - who will be happy to manage their enquiry.  Out of hours: 07403 401387.

For further information please download:

How to deal with a media crisis | PDF

Images licensing

Please ensure that you have permission to use images anywhere online – your website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – as well as in print.

If you are using images on your website that have been taken from other websites or from websites searches please check that you have the right to use photographs. There is a common misperception that images online are in the public domain and can be reused. On the contrary, you should presume that all online content is copyright and you do not have permission to use it yourself without consent from the copyright holder.  

Photographic libraries are trawling through websites and requesting usage payments for photographs with license fees.  This has happened nationally, in some parishes and in one of our schools.  Even though you may not have done this on purpose and you immediate withdraw the image you are likely to still have to pay usage fees for considerable amount of money. 

To source royalty free images please use websites such as: pixabay.com, pexels.com,and unsplash.com who offer free images to download.  Although do check as you may need to credit the image and there may be limitations on use, but these sites limit your risk. 

Download crests and logos

Click on the images below to download high quality versions of our crest and logo for use in your parish.

Branding and Style Guide | PDF

Church of England Suffolk  master Logo | portrait | Jpeg

Church of England Suffolk master Logo | black and white | Jpeg

Church of England Suffolk  alternate Logo | landscape | Jpeg

Diocesan Logo - Colour (1000x293px - 99KB .png)

Diocesan Logo - Black and White (1000x293px - 101KB .png)

Growing in God Logo - Colour | .png

Privacy notices

Privacy Notice | PDF 

Cookies Privacy Policy | PDF

Further information

For further information please contact:

Lauren Bridgwater | Communications Assistant (Apprentice) | 01473 298546

Leonie Ryle | Communications Manager | 01473 298546 | 07468 474483

or email communications@cofesuffolk.org