Godly Play network groups support practitioners so that they develop their practice in community with others. They meet under the direction of a Regional Trainer, but may be led by Advocates. Frequency of meeting will depend on the membership of the group and what works best for them.
Birmingham Godly Play Network
Area: Birmingham and surrounding areas
Main point of contact: Claire Wesley
Advocates: Helen Woodall, Claire Wesley
We are a multi-denominational group who get together termly to share our experiences, receive mutual support and encouragement for our practice and experience a story told by a member of the group. We meet from 7.30 – 9.00 in the Northfield area of Birmingham – and there is always cake! Everyone is welcome to join us whether you’ve been on a taster session, a 3-day course or are just interested.
Bristol Godly Play Network
Area: Bristol and surrounding areas
Main point of contact: Sian Hancock
Regional Trainer: Sian Hancock, Alison Summerskill
Advocates: Becky Fisher
We are a non-denominational group meeting bi-monthly in and around Bristol. Our members are ministers and church workers with a breadth of experience in Godly Play, but with still more to learn. Meetings are generally in the evening, from 7.30-9pm. We welcome anyone with an interest in Godly Play, whether or not they have attended a taster or training.
Cambridge Godly Play Network
Area: Cambridgeshire and surrounding counties
Main point of Contact: Eona Bell eona.bell@gmail.com
Regional Trainers: Andrea Harrison, Rebecca Nye
Advocates: Eona Bell, Dani Redhead, Sue Price (Also Gill Osborne nearby in Norfolk/Norwich – d_gosborne@btinternet.com )
We are a non-denominational group that tries to meet once a term, usually on Saturday mornings in the community centre at St Mark’s Church, Barton Road, Cambridge CB3 9JZ. We share stories and experiences while supporting each other in our use of Godly Play. We are open to anyone who is interested in Godly Play whether they have attended training or not – most of us live and work in the Cambridge area, but some come from further afield. We can point people to Taster Days and training events when possible and arrange for resources to be shared within the local area.
Cumbria Godly Play Network aka ‘Godly Play Anonymous’
Area: Cumbria
Main point of contact: Hazel Scott Bowes hafuas@hotmail.com
Regional Trainers: Rachel Bainton (Rachel@godlyplay.uk), Mary Cooper (Mary@godlyplay.uk)
Advocates: Hazel Scott Bowes, Nicki Pennington
We are an ecumenical group that began life as ‘Godly Play Anonymous’ (get the addiction?) before we even knew about the national Network groups. We cover Cumbria in the North West of England.Most of our members are teachers and church workers located in the Eden Valley (which lies between the Lakes and the Pennines) and Penrith area, although we have a database of contacts stretching from Lanercost, Carlisle, Whitehaven, Grange-over-Sands. We meet once a term mainly in Kirkoswald Methodist Church where we transform the worship space with our Godly Play trolleys and equipment which also live there. The meetings are usually held late afternoon 4 for 4.30pm – 6pm. This means the teachers are able to fit in the meetings immediately after school. During this time we begin with a feast, share a Godly Play story and wondering, we have a chance to debrief the story, and use the social time to support and learn from each other. These sessions are equally open to newcomers to Godly Play – we intend them to serve as a good “taster” session, and also to experienced practitioners. We welcome anyone with an interest in, or curiosity about Godly Play and have plans to move around this large and rambling rural county from time to time, especially in the spring and summer months, so that GPN/GPA is more accessible to our disparate membership.
Devon Godly Play Network
Area: Devon and surrounding areas
Main point of contact: Katherine Lyddon (Katherine.lyddon@exeter.anglican.org)
Regional Trainer: Katherine Lyddon
Advocates: Alison Shaw
We are a very friendly non-denominational group meeting bi-annually (March and October). Our members are volunteers, church workers with a breadth of experience in Godly Play, but all very keen to learn and wonder more. Meetings are generally a full Saturday (10-4) and people are welcome to come for some of it if they can’t manage the whole day. An introduction to Godly Play can be run alongside the hub in the morning so that Hub members are able to bring friends and colleagues to introduce them to the thing we are all hooked on! Lunch is provided and those who have attended the 3 day training are invited to stay for the afternoon to go deeper.
Norfolk Godly Play Network
Area: Norfolk and surrounding areas
Main point of contact: Anna Walker anna.walker@dioceseofnorwich.org
Regional Trainer: Andrea Harrison, Rebecca Nye
Advocates: Gill Osborne d_gosborne@btinternet.com
We exist to connect those from across Norfolk and the surrounding area who use or are interested in Godly Play. The network provides an opportunity for sharing a Godly Play story, wondering together and discussing ideas, resources and the experiences people have of using Godly Play in different contexts.
The network aims to meet 2 times a year and is hosted in different locations to help make the meetings accessible to people from across the county.
The network meeting is free to attend and has a relaxed atmosphere to share refreshments and meet others. It is open to anyone whether a regular storyteller, infrequent storyteller or exploring Godly Play for the first time.
North East of England Godly Play Network
Area: North East of England
Main point of contact: Helen Robertson (helenvrobertson@gmail.com)
Regional Trainers: Rachel Bainton (Rachel@godlyplay.uk), Mary Cooper (Mary@godlyplay.uk)
Advocates: Helen Robertson
We are an ecumenical group covering north east England, currently drawing on our “membership” from Sunderland to Warkworth, Monkseaton to Hexham (and beyond). We meet approximately once per month, predominantly in the Godly Play space situated in the Education Suite at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, but we also move our monthly meetings to other locations, including (in the past few years) Sunderland, Percy Main, Monkseaton, Warkworth CofE First/Primary School, Ryton and Hexham. The meetings are usually held on an evening between 7.30 pm and 9-9.30 pm. During this time we share a Godly Play story and wondering, we have a chance to debrief the story, and then share a feast and use the social time to support and learn from each other. These sessions are equally open to newcomers to Godly Play – we intend them to serve as a good “taster” session, and also to experienced practitioners. We welcome anyone with an interest in, or curiosity about Godly Play.
Sheffield Godly Play Network
Area: Sheffield, Rotherham and surrounding areas
Diocese: Sheffield, Hallam
Main contact: louiseclines@gmail.com
Regional Trainers: Kathryn Lord, Kate Cornwell
Advocates: Louise Clines
We are a non-denominational group that meets 3 or 4 times a year in different locations around the Sheffield and Rotherham areas, to support practitioners (new and experienced) to develop their practice in community with others. We share stories and wonder, learn and plan together. All are welcome.
Sussex Godly Play Network
Area: East and West Sussex
Main point of Contact: Judy Yeomans judyisyeomans@gmail.com
Regional Trainer: Sue North Coombes , Judy Yeomans
Advocates: Lesley Mason, Alison Day, Judy Yeomans
We are a non-denominational group that meets three times a year in different locations largely in central Sussex, to guide and support one another in our practice. We also hold an annual 24hour retreat (in the autumn). We can loan resources, provide Taster sessions (through our Advocates) and help you to make the most of your Godly Play training and experience.
Find us on Facebook too: Sussex Godly Play Network
York Godly Play Network
Area: York & surrounding area
Main point of Contact: Carol Carter office@yoyotrust.org.uk
Kim Gabbatiss kim.gabbatiss@ntlworld.com
Regional Trainer: Susie Steel
Advocates: Heather Black (trainer currently working as Advocate) Caroline Dollard, Sarah Weyell, Rosalyn Boyes, Yvonne West
We are a non-denominational group that tries to meet each half term in the Godly Play classroom at Lidgett Methodist Church, Acomb York YO26 5NH. We share stories and experiences while supporting each other in our use of Godly Play. We are open to anyone who is interested in Godly Play whether they have attended training or not. We try to hold Taster Days and training events when possible and have a library of resources that our members can borrow. To become a member please contact Carol or Kim (see above).
South Wales Godly Play Network
Area: South Wales
Main point of contact: The Revd Nicky Skipworth
The Vicarage, 9 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6PG
01646 687825 07720 201173
Regional Trainer: Diana Williams dianawilliams2@btinternet.com
Advocates: Richard Prescott, Elaine Jenkyns and Rhiannon Johnson
Find us on Facebook: Godly Play UK South Wales Network
We are a geographically wide reaching non-denominational group that covers the whole of South Wales and some border areas. We meet three times a year in a variety of locations (advertised on the website) to allow people from across South Wales to join us. The meetings are usually held on a weekday afternoon between 1-4pm. In this time we share lunch, support and learn from each other, share a story and plan for the future. We also have a regional South Wales network facebook group. We welcome new members at any of our meetings, regardless of experience.