THE doors to our new offices will be thrown open on September 28 for an open day.

Central diocesan staff will be showing off the offices they moved into at the start of August. It's the first time our diocesan staff have all been based in the same location.

The modern office in Peninsular House, just off the M275, has many features that help to improve the working environment for staff. The building is open-plan, air-conditioned, more secure and has impeccable environmental credentials.

It includes a staff room, large meeting room, proper reception, decent storage facilities, and a bike shed and shower. Staff have direct-dial phone numbers and voice mail for the first time, as well as new, easy-to-remember e-mail addresses (see here for new contact details), up-to-date computer technology and networked photocopying facilities.

The bishop visited between chemotherapy treatments to bless the new office. He left a large, carved wooden cross from the Carpathian Mountains, which was presented to him by Polish Lutherans, and a crozier made from wood from the Far East. Both are now on display in the reception area.

And worshippers and others from across our diocese will be given a chance to see the new office for themselves between 9am and 7pm on September 28, when anyone can pop in and be given a guided tour.

Bishop Kenneth said: “The new premises are eye-catching in every sense. Everyone will be working on the same floor, with separate rooms for the various team leaders. I was really impressed by what I saw.

“Andrew Robinson has done a splendid job in setting up the arrangements that have led us to where we are now. This all means we are in for a much more creative and collaborative time!”

The catalyst for the move was the cathedral’s vision to create new education, music and community facilities in Cathedral House, which it owns. Our Bishop’s Council agreed that our diocese should buy office facilities so that staff who previously worked in separate places could work together.

Peninsular House, near the cross-channel ferry port, was bought jointly by our diocese and Portsmouth Housing Association – PHA has the top three floors and our diocese has the bottom two. The ground floor will be rented out to provide our diocese with a regular income.

Deputy diocesan secretary Andrew Robinson said: “Apart from the financial benefits of our new offices, the driving force behind this move has been to provide a modern, comfortable environment for our staff where they can work together more effectively. Already we are seeing the benefits of staff being able to co-ordinate ideas across what used to be separate Boards.”

The office move coincided with our new diocesan structures, which were agreed by diocesan synod in June. Diocesan staff will work in one of four sections – Mission and Resources, Mission and Education, Mission and Disc-ipleship or Mission and Society.

Every effort will be made to provide transport for those from the Isle of Wight attending meetings in Peninsular House.