Submitted by george.somers@… on

We understand that the breakdown of a marriage can be a difficult, stressful and emotionally turbulent time.

As well as clergy themselves, we welcome applications from the former spouses/partners of clergy, and we work closely with partner organisations like Broken Rites to continue to develop our grants and services.

Whether you have separated very recently, are in the midst of adjusting to separation, or are further down the line and struggling to cope, we have a range of support that may help you at every stage of separation and divorce.

If you are in immediate need, we can arrange to call you at a mutually convenient time, when you are in a safe space to speak, to guide you through the application process and explain which grant support is most appropriate.

We are impartial and independent of the national Churches, and the conversations that you have with our team are completely confidential. We want to support you where we can in your journey.

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Text reads: We supported over 90 divorced or separated partners of clergy in 2025, with 249 grants.

Our support

Use our handy Eligibility Checker to get an idea of the support you may be eligible to receive.

Eligibility Checker

Getting set up

In order to support you, and to set you up on our system in your own name, we require one of the following:

  • A copy of your decree nisi or absolute
  • A copy of your marriage certificate
  • An email or letter from Broken Rites
  • An email or letter from a diocesan Bishop’s Visitor.

We ask that you have a bank account in your own name, in order for us ensure that any funds are paid into a secure account that only you can access.

We will never disclose your contact with us, or any applications, to your former spouse/partner. Your contact with the Trust is strictly confidential.

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Text reads: Over £310,000 was used to support the health, wellbeing and financial resilience of separated partners.

Contact us

You can contact our friendly and approachable team on 0800 389 5192, or you may prefer to send an email initially to grants@clergysupport.org.uk

Contact us

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Photography: Canva
Clergy Support Trust is the largest and oldest charity focussed on the wellbeing of clergy and their families. The Trust, originally founded in 1655, provides confidential help for Anglican clergy and their families across the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Diocese in Europe. The Trust are confidential, independent, inclusive, and impartial, and we support clergy from training through to retirement. In 2024, we supported over 2,800 households with more than 7,300 grants.
For media enquiries, please email our External Relations team at hello@clergysupport.org.uk.