Getting started as a Group Leader
This guide will walk you through the things you need to do in order to be ready to lead and manage your group.
FIRST: The 5 steps of joining a Team at Aldates
We really care about creating a safe and welcoming environment at Aldates which is why we have a very robust recruitment process. It can feel quite onerous at first, but if you work through it all methodically, it can be a seamless process. It also means you will be able to serve in most Aldates Teams without additional checks. Thank you for being patient with us and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
P.S. if you have joined another Aldates team in 2026, you will have likely gone through this process already. Just let us know if you have.
Read this Group Leader role description
Sign this Volunteer Agreement
Provide 2 References on this form
You will be sent a DBS check from ‘Thirtyone:eight’ with an online identity check so keep an eye out for this email.
Complete Basic Awareness and Foundation Safeguarding Modules on the Church of England Safeguarding Training Portal. You will need to complete it with the CofE portal even if you have safeguarding training in place in other contexts (sorry!). When registering, under ‘Training Institution’ select ‘Not part of a Training Institution’, and under ‘Diocese’, select ‘Oxford’.
After all that, you are all good to go!
SECOND: ChurchSuite
ChurchSuite is the platform that we use to manage Groups across St Aldates. If you haven’t already signed up for ChurchSuite, you can do that here - just select ‘I’m just updating my details’. We can then add you as a leader of your Group.
My ChurchSuite
My ChurchSuite is the portal through which you can access yourGroup’s information, and update the:
Vision and group description
Venue information
Date and times and frequency of meetings.
In order to access My ChurchSuite, you’ll need to have first registered for ChurchSuite. The Groups Team can then send you an invite to join My ChurchSuite.
THIRD: Group Leader’s Guide
Make sure you’ve read the Group Leader’s Guide, and get the dates in your diary for the termly Group Leader’s Meetings.
FOUTH: How do new people join?
There are two main ways people can join!
You meet them in Church: If you strike up a fantastic conversion at Church and want to invite them to your group, do let the Groups Team know.
Get Connected Nights: Many people will join the group after attending a termly Get Connected Night which means that there will be a termly cadence of intake into Groups. We will find people suitable for your group and send you their contact details, and it’ll be your responsibility to get in touch with them.