Pastoral Care and Visiting

Our pastoral care is available to everyone who lives within our parishes, regardless of whether you attend church, have any particular connection with the church, or consider yourself a person of faith. Sometimes life can be difficult, and having someone to talk to, pray with or simply spend time with can make a real difference.

Our dedicated team of pastoral visitors are available to visit people in their own homes who are unable to get to church, as well as residents in local care homes. Visits may be particularly helpful at times of crisis, bereavement, illness, loneliness or change, but you don't need to be going through a crisis to ask for a visit. Sometimes a friendly chat and a listening ear are all that is needed.

Where requested, our visitors can also bring Holy Communion to those who are unable to attend church and would like to receive the sacrament at home or in a care home.

Many members of our Pastoral Team are Anna Chaplains, specially trained and recognised for their ministry of care and nurture among older people in our communities. Our wider pastoral ministry also includes our clergy, Readers and Authorised Lay Ministers.

All those undertaking formal pastoral visits on behalf of our churches are appropriately trained and authorised by the PCCs, have completed safeguarding training and hold a current DBS check.

We also recognise that pastoral care belongs to the whole Church. We encourage members of our church communities to keep in touch with friends and fellow worshippers who are no longer able to attend church, offering friendship and companionship in the ordinary course of life. Formal pastoral visiting, however, is undertaken by those who are trained and authorised to do so.