FAQ

Accident reporting

If you spot any anti-social or concerning behaviour within the Cathedral, precinct, or grounds, please follow these steps:

1. Report the Incident Online:
   Use the online portal at Cambridgeshire Police's reporting page. This ensures the police can monitor the number of incidents.
2. In Case of Emergency:
   If the situation feels like it could become violent, or someone is in immediate danger, dial 999 immediately.
3. Notify the Chief Operating Officer:
   After reporting the incident, email Jonathan Bell (Chief Operating Officer) with a summary of the situation to confirm that it has been reported. Email: Jonathan.bell@elycathedral.org
4. Contact the neighbourhood policing team:
   You can also contact the local policing team if needed:
   • Ely Police Station: Nutholt Lane, Ely, CB7 4PL
   • Email: east-cambs-cops@cambs.police.uk
   • Tel: 01353 656624

For different types of broken items around the Cathedral, contact the appropriate person:

1. General Broken Items in the Chapter House:
   Contact reception Ext. 200 or receptionist@elycathedral.org
   
2. Broken Items Inside the Cathedral:
   Contact the Vergers team. Ext. 242 or vergers@elycathedral.org
   
3. Building-related Issues:
   For anything building-related, contact the Workforce team. email:
   vicki.roulinson@elycathedral.org

4. IT-related Issues: email: helpdesk@elycathedral.org or call ext. 402

Staff members can park in the south car park or Oyster Lane. If you need a replacement parking permit

Contact Reception:

receptionist@elycathedral.org

Request Confidential Waste Bags: Email reception to obtain confidential waste bags for shredding.

Email: receptionist@elycathedral.org

Shredding Services: Once your bag is full, secure it for collection.

If you need to dispose of sensitive documents immediately, shredders are available in the Chapter House and Cathedral.

For staff seeking confidential support on personal matters:

Health Assured 24-Hour Helpline - This free service helps on a wide range of issues, including stress, legal advice, and financial wellbeing. Phone: 0800 0280 199 Employer Code: MHA178768

Access via the Wisdom App: Download the Wisdom app from the App Store or Google Play and use the employer code Employer Code: MHA178768 to set up an account.

Website: https://wisdom.healthassured.org/login

For information on handling personal data safely: The data protection policy is in section 13, page 12 of the Employee Handbook found here:

Ely Cathedral - Employee handbook September 2022

For further advice, contact Jonathan Bell, Chief Operating Officer

Directions to the south car park

Directions to the Chapter House

For payments made on behalf of the Cathedral, please follow these steps:

1. Complete the Expense Form: Fill out the expense claim form with accurate details of each expense incurred. Click here: Expenses Claim Form XL
   
2. Attach receipts: Ensure that all receipts are clearly attached to the completed expense form. The receipts must correspond to the listed expenses. Please do not attach an envelope with unsorted receipts.
   
3. Obtain Line Manager Approval: The expense form must be signed by your line manager for approval before submission.

Submit for Payment: When the form has been completed, signed, and receipts are attached, submit the form for payment processing with the Accounts department either in person or by placing in the Accounts pigeonhole.

If you require Cathedral-branded clothing, safety gear, or special equipment contact your Line Manager first who can then place an order through HR.

Further Assistance: For additional help, contact HR
Email: Humanresources@elycathedral.org

To book an internal event (e.g. concert, lecture, or volunteer event) complete the Event Booking Form: INTERNAL EVENT BOOKING FORM

Submit the Form: Provide basic details, requirements, and any supporting information.

Further Assistance: For additional help, contact
Email: events@elycathedral.org

Guide to Morning Prayer and Eucharist

Prayers at Evensong

How long is the Cathedral?

537ft (161m)

How many steps up the West Tower?

288

How high is the West Tower?

215ft (66m)

How high are the two turrets of the south-west Transept?

120ft (36m)

How wide are the Nave and Aisles?

78ft (24m)

How long is the Nave?

248ft (75m)

How high is the Nave ceiling?

105ft (32m)

How high is the Octagon?

170ft (52m)

How wide is the Octagon?

74ft (23m)

How high is the Octagon Lantern Tower from floor to central roof boss?

142ft (43m)

How long is the Lady Chapel?

100ft (30m)

How wide is the Lady Chapel?

46ft (14m)

How high is the Lady Chapel ceiling?

60ft (18m)

What is the total area covered by Ely Cathedral?

46,000 sq.ft (4272m)

There are a small group who meet on a regular basis to review the project funding pipeline (funding requests).

For information on how to get funding for projects or to propose fundraising ideas and seek project funding contact the Head of Fundraising:
gemma.oshea@elycathedral.org

Details of who the first aiders are for each location and where the first aid kit can be found, are displayed on the ‘Important Information’ Noticeboards located at each workplace. If you would like to register your interest in First Aid training contact:

Tracy.Bennett-Tighe@elycathedral.org

For any health and safety concerns: Report health and safety issues directly to your line manager and notify the Safety Coordinator:

Tracy.Bennett-Tighe@elycathedral.org

Holiday and sickness self-certification is now managed through the online platform, Breathe HR.

For more information and how to guides:

Employee User Guide

Line Manager User Guide

For any further assistance, please contact Alison, Rebecca, or Ana

Please Refer to the Employee Handbook here:
Ely Cathedral - Employee handbook September 2022

HR related queries: Your first point of contact for HR-related queries is your Line Manager. If you aren't able to contact your Line Manager with the matter please contact Alison.Binstead@elycathedral.org

Keeping the intranet up to date is crucial to ensure that it stays relevant and informative, If you spot errors on parts of the intranet please contact:

intranet@elycathedral.org

Help: If you have issues accessing the Intranet pages please contact:
helpdesk@elycathedral.org

If you require access to a particularly location ensure that notice and permission has been given where necessary (clergy property etc)

Access: For temporary access to locked areas, visit the Chapter House Reception or contact ext. 200.

Issuance: Keys are issued and must be returned as agreed.

• Availability: Staff can use the kitchen in the Chapter House, which has a fridge, microwave, kettle, cutlery, and crockery.
  
• Responsibility: Dispose of out-of-date items and clean up after yourself by loading the dishwasher.
  
• Supplies: Tea, coffee, milk and sugar are provided. Notify reception if supplies run low.
  
• Milk: Replenish if needed - additional milk is available from the volunteers space in the Ticket and Information Centre area.

Letterhead template

Principal_Holy_Days_2026

Requests: If you have an event that you would like to live-stream in the first instance

contact: james.reveley@elycathedral.org

Additional contacts who help with the livestream arrangements:

david.bruce@elycathedral.org

maddie.cox@elycathedral.org

Meeting Rooms & Hybrid Setup Guide

Milk is available for tea and coffee. It’s delivered to and stored in the fridge near the Ticket and Information Centre, within the volunteer space. There is also milk in the Chapter House kitchen fridge. Please help yourself and replenish if you see stock is running low.

Cathedral Staff: Use Outlook 365 for emails and calendar management.

Find video tutorials, documents, and other resources to help you get started. Use these tools to make the most of 365 and support your daily work.

Click here

Further help: For assistance contact the helpdesk helpdesk@elycathedral.org

C&C News: For the Cathedral community (staff, volunteers, congregation, etc.).

Contact: james.reveley@elycathedral.org with contributions or information.

Staff Newsletter: For staff members.

Contact: gemma.hardy@elycathedral.org with contributions or information

Steps to follow:

1. Discuss with your Line Manager the desired layout and furniture requirements.

2. Contact Safety Co-ordinator Tracy.Bennett-Tighe@elycathedral.org who will arrange a safety assessment and contact a supplier who provides mock ups and suggestions.

3. Arrange timeframes with the Workforce Team for assembly/moving.

4. Contact helpdesk@elycathedral.org for technology or equipment needs.

Zoom: The Cathedral has a Zoom account which is available to use for external larger group meetings. To book a Zoom on this account please contact
receptionist@elycathedral.org

Using Microsoft Teams

From Outlook Inbox:

1. Open Outlook.
   
2. In your Inbox, click New Email or open an existing email thread.
   
3. Look for the “Teams Meeting” button in the ribbon (usually near the top).
   
4. Click it to add Teams meeting details automatically into the email.
   
5. Add recipients and send – they’ll get a Join Teams Meeting link.
   

From Outlook Calendar:

1. Open Outlook Calendar.
   
2. Click New Meeting (or New Event).
   
3. Click the “Teams Meeting” button in the meeting ribbon.
   
4. Fill in the meeting title, date, time, and attendees.
   
5. Send the invite – it includes the Teams meeting link.

Here’s a shortcut:

In Outlook Calendar, press New Meeting → click Teams Meeting → fill details → Send. This instantly creates a Teams meeting link in the invite.

Owl instructions

Pay queries: Contact your line manager first. If unresolved, email Finance at alison.binstead@elycathedral.org

Choir-related: As of 1 March, the payroll process moved to fully online. Members of the expanded choir after each service they sing are asked to do the following:

• Complete the form at this link https://forms.office.com/e/wsGztN938E after the service has been sung.

• A QR code for the form is displayed in the Song School, so that the form can be quickly completed on a mobile device while you are here, if you wish

• The link will also be included in each termly rota, so that you don’t have to hunt for this email (you could also save it in your Favourites)

• Please ensure that you claim as soon as possible, and at the latest by the 8th of the month after the service you sang. Beyond that date, claims may be too late for the relevant payroll.

NB As of now, we won’t chase up services which are not claimed for, so please complete the form if you want to be paid

Due to limited parking spaces, there are a maximum of four that can be booked for guests and visitors. Please follow these steps to request a parking space:

1. Send an Email: Email the Vergers team to ask whether a parking space can be reserved for your meeting attendees or guests. Please provide the date, time of arrival and duration required. The Vergers will check if spaces are available.
   • Email: vergers@elycathedral.org

Invoices: Ensure a purchase order is raised in advance. If for any reason it has not been raised, print, sign, and place the invoice in the Accounts pigeonhole. No email approvals are accepted.

Cash: No cash is stored in the finance office. Request cash with at least two weeks’ notice.

Payment Runs: Generally monthly, at the end of the month. Approved invoices submitted before the 15th will be included for that month. Urgent payments require advance notice.

Expense Claims: Attach receipts to a completed expense form signed by a line manager and submit it for payment. Please do not attach envelopes of receipts with no indication of who to pay, how to pay and no approval.

Permissions requests are granted weekly. Requests that require further discussion are reviewed in a biweekly Permissions Meeting. If you have a permissions request, please e-mail diaryupdates@elycathedral.org.

So that your request can be processed effectively, please include/state the following information:

• Event
• Date/s
• Type of Event - name
• Time of Event - start and estimated finish (if possible).
• Rehearsal time beforehand
• No. people (if applicable, an estimate is fine)
• Location - what parts of the building you will require (i.e., Lady Chapel, Nave, Choir/Presbytery)

Should you have specific requests for the Vergers i.e., you’d like tables to be put out in Prior’s Door or refreshment facilities set up in the Lady Chapel etc. please ensure you still contact Grahame (Head Verger) with this information: Grahame.Hoskin@elycathedral.org He will then action it accordingly with the Verging Team. Moreover, all requests for a parking space should be sent to: vergers@elycathedral.org

Diary meetings: on the week where there is are no permissions meetings some staff zoom in to review the Cathedral diary, for the zoom details please ask your Line Manager or contact gemma.hardy@elycathedral.org

When you need to buy something for work—you will first of all need approval from your Line Manager, who will, if necessary, seek further approval from the CFO.

Expense Forms: An expense form is an officially document and record the expense for reimbursement or accounting purposes.

• Provided the purchase was approved in advance, you can claim for expense incurred. Expense form here: Expenses Claim Form XL

Approval Process

• Line Manager Approval: Your line manager needs to sign off the expense form and pass this on to Accounts for reimbursement.

Porta

Maintenance: In the first instance report printer issues to Reception (ext. 200). When there is no one available on reception please contact helpdesk
helpdesk@elycathedral.org with the printer ID (found on the front sticker).

Toner Cartridges: Printers on the network are set to automatically order toner. If a printer is showing ‘a low in toner’ message or you have a non-network printer requiring toner, contact reception (ext. 200) or david.bruce@elycathedral.org

For help with proofreading requests, contact:

David Bruce - David.Bruce@elycathedral.org

Elizabeth Gill - Elizabeth.Gill@elycathedral.org

There is a process for recruiting new employees to the Cathedral that all line managers must follow. This Recruitment process can be found here:
Recruitment process updated 2025

Contacts: Safeguarding contact information is available on posters throughout the Cathedral and staff noticeboards.

Replacement pocket guides: HR@elycathedral.org for a pocket guide.

Internal Safeguarding Handbook: Ely Cathedral Safeguarding Handbook 2025

External webpage: https://www.elycathedral.org/about/safeguarding

Weekdays:

7.30am Morning Prayer

8.00am Holy Communion

5.30pm Evensong

Additional weekday services:

Wednesday & Fridays - Midday Prayer 12.15pm

Thursdays - Holy Communion 12.10pm

Sundays:

8.15am Holy Communion

10.30am Sung Eucharist

4.00pm Evensong

Service times and locations may vary throughout the year. Please see here for the weekly service schedules.

We retain RGP Security Services to respond to security matters which are not serious enough for police attendance. Any employee may contact them at any time to come to the Cathedral if help is needed: 01353 662 733 or 07833 720 746.

Staff are issued photo ID passes. If you do not have one in the first instance please raise this with your Line Manager and request a pass, contact Reception:

receptionist@elycathedral.org

Discounts: Staff are eligible for a 20% discount at the Cathedral Shop and Almonry (on spends up to £50). Show your staff pass at checkout.

Standard supplies can be found in the Chapter House cupboard in the reception area. For special items, contact David Bruce (ext. 200) or via email at
receptionist@elycathedral.org

Ely Cathedral - Employee handbook September 2022

For promotional requests on Cathedral social media, or to report any noteworthy mentions, contact Maddie.Cox@elycathedral.org

If you need help with a computer hardware or software problem, please contact the IT helpdesk: helpdesk@elycathedral.org or via ext. 402

In line with our information security policy, we periodically communicate guidance which we require everyone to follow to keep our technology environment secure. Please follow the guide below. If you lose a computer, mobile phone or other device with network access, please tell the helpdesk (helpdesk@elycathedral.org or 01353 660 320 or 07779 166 693) as soon as you can.

Do not save documents on your desktop. These are not backed up and cannot be recovered if your computer is damaged or lost. Save documents on your home drive or in an appropriate place on the shared drive, bearing in mind the need to protect any personal data.

o Always lock your computer when you're away from it. (press 'Ctrl' +'Alt'+ 'Delete' together and select 'lock').

o Change your password when prompted.

o Choose a password that is difficult for automated software to guess. It's best to use the initial letters of a memorable phrase (rather than an ordinary word), together with numbers and special characters/ punctuation. You can check what makes for a strong password using an online strength checker such as password monster.com

o If you need to keep a record of passwords, then do so in a secure app such as Keeper Password Manager.

o Never keep a password written down on or near your computer.

o Be very wary of clicking external links or opening attachments in emails. Treat these with extreme scepticism if they are from an unfamiliar source, appear to be marketing emails or are in any way unusual. If unsure, contact the apparent sender by phone, using an independent means of finding their phone number.

o Be very wary of unusual emails appearing to be from colleagues, especially if they are asking you to do something urgently. If it's urgent, then check what they need using the phone, or face to face.

o Do not forward suspicious email to the helpdesk. Instead contact the helpdesk separately and follow their instructions.

o If you need to send confidential information by email, then use password-protection and communicate the password by phone. Speak to the helpdesk in advance if you need more guidance about how to do this.

Keeping the website up to date is crucial to ensure that it stays relevant and informative. It’s all our responsible to ensure the website remains fresh and relevant.

Managing Your Area of the Website Training: If you're unsure how to manage or update your areas assigned pages, contact Maddie Cox for training at maddie.cox@elycathedral.org.

Updating Content: Regularly check the content on your assigned pages for accuracy. Specifically, ensure that images are up-to-date and relevant & information is accurate and current.

Reporting Errors or Updates for Other Areas

If you spot errors or out-of-date content on parts of the website that aren’t directly under your control and are unsure whom to contact:
LA.Thompson@elycathedral.org

We offer a guest Wi-Fi network for visitors:

Wi-Fi Network: EC Guest
Password: gk78ch52ky29

All new staff will have a workstation assessment with the Safety Co-ordinator. The HSE has issued some practical guidance on good posture when working at your desk.
Click here:

workstation assessment

If however, you subsequently experience any discomfort and suspect it may be related to your workstation please contact the Safety Co-ordinator who will arrange for a review.

When working remotely, you will need to connect to the Cathedral’s Virtual Private Network (VPN). Please follow this short guide:

If you are experiencing difficulties contact helpdesk helpdesk@elycathedral.org