Anna Chaplaincy fosters links with some key Roman Catholic churches

Anna Chaplaincy shares leadership at Caritas event for Roman Catholic churches in Lewisham, South London

On Saturday March 29 Julia Burton-Jones, training and development lead for Anna Chaplaincy at BRF Ministries, helped spearhead an event on 'Supporting Older People' for the Roman Catholic Churches in and around the London Borough of Lewisham. The event, held at Holy Cross Church in Catford (Home | Holy Cross Church), was an initiative of Caritas in the Archdiocese of Southwark (which covers South London and Kent).

Representatives of the 10 Roman Catholic churches in the deanery gathered with others from local organisations working alongside older people to explore the challenges and opportunities churches face in responding to the needs of an ageing population.

Paul Raymond of Irish Chaplaincy with Canon Victor Darlington and John Coleby

The event was opened in prayer by Canon Victor Darlington, episcopal vicar for the South East area of the Archdiocese. It was then led by John Coleby, head of Caritas Southwark. John was assisted by Julia in planning the event, and by Paul Raymond from Irish Chaplaincy, together with Lesley Allen from Holy Cross Church Catford. Lesley has been running the Diamond Club for older people at Holy Cross for 23 years, so it was a fitting place to host the event.

Lesley Allen speaking about the Diamond Club at Holy Cross, Catford

John spoke about the Jubilee of Hope in the Catholic Church in 2025, sharing statements from Pope Francis on the role and care of older people. Outlining the social teaching of the Church which shapes the work of Caritas, he spoke about: respect; participation; the common good; solidarity; a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable; care for creation; and the dignity of work. He quoted the early Christian writer, Tertullian: See how these Christians love one another.

The role of Caritas Southwark includes supporting local networks to share best practice and celebrating the success of parishes as they participate in Catholic Social Action. Another aim is to develop more resources for parishes (Caritas Southwark: Archdiocese of Southwark). The event in Catford demonstrated these goals.

Around 40 individuals gathered for a day of lively discussion. Julia reflected afterwards:

‘It was uplifting to hear stories from across the parishes of initiatives to reach out to older people and enable their participation in church and community. Many who attended were Eucharistic ministers visiting older people in their own homes and in care homes in the borough.

Others were involved in St Vincent de Paul Charity, an international network of volunteers dedicated to tackling poverty and providing practical assistance and friendship to people in need (Home | St Vincent de Paul Society).

'We heard from Margaret Culley' for instance, 'about the Life Ascending groups in the Archdiocese. Developed originally in France in the 1970s, this movement brings older people together to develop in their spirituality, friendship and mission (Life Ascending/Ascent). There are 40 groups across the UK and the newsletter (free to download) has heart-warming stories, prayers and news from the groups.’

Julia was invited to speak about Anna Chaplaincy, and leaflets were distributed. It is hoped that the Roman Catholic churches in Lewisham will explore Anna Chaplaincy as a response to the needs and challenges explored through the event.

Paul from Irish Chaplaincy spoke warmly about training and support offered to Anna Chaplains through BRF Ministries.

Grace Blyth from the nearby Anglican Parish of St Laurence shared information about the Lewisham Pensioners’ Forum which she chairs, and Ageing Well in Lewisham (part of registered charity Lewisham Churches Care). Lewisham Pensioners Forum holds an annual event in Autumn – Lewisham Pensioners’ Day. They campaign for services, challenge discrimination and provide a platform for pensioners to voice their concerns. Lewisham Churches Care was set up in 1999 as a response to the national report Faith in the City. The churches work together to enable older people to feel connected through programmes that include Crafts Plus, The Befrienders singing group, Body and Bingo seated exercise plus bingo and quizzes, Silver Lunch Club and Golden Agers coffee morning (Reducing Isolation | Ageing Well in Lewisham | England).

Paul (Raymond) spoke about the services provided by Irish Chaplaincy, first established with funding from the Irish government in 1957 (Home - Irish Chaplaincy). As well as supporting Irish travellers and Irish prisoners, the charity has a programme of support and advocacy for Irish seniors across all London boroughs. Referrals come through the churches, GP surgeries and social services. Befrienders visit people in their own homes and in care homes, providing practical, emotional and spiritual help.

Lesley (Allen) introduced participants to the work of the Diamond Club which meets every Tuesday from 10:00am to 2:00pm in the Hartley Hall where the Caritas event took place and has been in operation for 23 years (Parish Teams | Holy Cross Church). Between 40 and 60 older people attend each week and there is a waiting list. Activities provided are aimed at encouraging healthy ageing and the club is dementia inclusive. Physical activities include seated yoga and Tai Chi. Word searches and crafts are also available. Speakers from charities supporting older people contribute to sessions, and local entertainers are invited to perform for half an hour. There is a popular raffle every week, with tickets included in the £5 contribution members make to costs. There is a gentle faith element to the sessions, with parish priest Father Anthony a regular presence, and prayers are said for those who are unwell or have died, and seasonal reflections given.

Lesley explained that the Diamond Club members contribute to the community, providing gifts for First Communion candidates, and taking part in intergenerational activities, including at the adjacent parish primary school. There are outings to the seaside and theatre, and supported holidays - with a coach of 52 people travelling for a week to locations in the UK. Lesley’s role as co-ordinator is a paid post.

Concerned for those on the waiting list, Holy Cross supported Lesley to organise occasional events for older people, such as Holidays at Home and musical events. This developed into Bring Me Sunshine, under the umbrella of Ageing Well in Lewisham. Churches of all denominations across Lewisham host a monthly event for 100 older people with entertainment and food provided.

A wealth of information about services was provided by Rachel Ellis from Lewisham Table Talk which people found very helpful. Through the day, as discussions took place around tables, each person shared information about how their church was supporting older people. Those from St William of York in Forest Hill talked about their Be Well hub, linked with the London Citizens group. They began by holding listening events. As well as establishing nature walks, and working with young people in the transition from primary to secondary school, they have started a café on Saturday afternoons before Mass which is primarily attended by older people (SWOY Citizens – St William of York RC Church).

The event ended with a discussion on what should happen next. There was strong support for the group meeting again, to collaborate across churches, to learn and develop together responses to support, and include Lewisham’s older population.

Challenges described throughout the day (such as difficulties with transport, NHS services, social isolation and problems reaching out to the most isolated, and digital exclusion) are best tackled by churches working together.

Through mutual support - including shadowing one another, and offering training to volunteers - the impact of the churches will be stronger and more targeted. Caritas will continue to support this process of linking churches together to work on their responses to needs in later life.