Once again the annual Caraway ‘Refresh and Resource’ day in Southampton was a showcase for some amazing work going on amongst older people in our communities. Having heard about the increase in loneliness in the last few years from Jeremy Sharpe of Linking Lives, you might think that ‘bright hope’ would be some way off. On the contrary, all the day’s speakers and workshop leaders revealed how hope is being extended, not just ‘for tomorrow’, but crucially ‘for today’ too.
Jeremy spoke of the Linking Lives’ initiatives and training resources; Anna Chaplain Margaret Hague described her work and the seeds of change it brings; Tricia Kenyon of Communicare mentioned some of the many projects being undertaken in Southampton; Revd David Hinks spoke of his prison chaplaincy work and Revd Dave Hendra of work to come alongside carers.
We learnt from Catherine Wood of Caraway’s newly-developed ‘Positivity Toolkit’ – a flexible resource which can be used by Anna Chaplains and those in similar roles to encourage those experiencing loneliness and isolation. You can find out more by emailing caraway@caraway.uk.com.
Revd Gill Sakakini encouraged our creative responses and helped us to reflect on the day’s themes, whilst Canon Erica Roberts expertly guided us through the day. Participants, who travelled from a wide area, will have left inspired with ideas to try and with new connections made. Many thanks to the whole Caraway team for reminding us what ‘strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow’ can look like.
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