Paul and Jean Kerr reflect on a recent event where the Anna Chaplaincy team collaborated with other local organisations to support local people in Kent affected by dementia. Both lead the Anna Chaplaincy team at St George’s in Deal and Jean is a member of the working group for Anna Chaplaincy in Canterbury Diocese:
'The Anna Chaplaincy team at Deal was just over a year old when we were approached by a local 'Dementia and Me' coordinator about the possibility of hosting a dementia awareness roadshow in church. We jumped at the opportunity to engage with 22 other agencies and also to be able to serve these frontline workers with hospitality and care. The event was held on September 19.
The day was amazing with agencies such as community wardens, district councils, mental health voluntary groups, the Fire Brigade, the Police, Library at Home, 'Dementia and Me' groups, local solicitors, the memory cafe and, of course, our little Anna Chaplaincy Stand. It was great to have the Deputy Mayor of Deal with us as well as Deal Council who also support our Warm Spaces initiative. The atmosphere was electric and we were thrilled that so many of the residents of Deal and Walmer found their way to us that day.'
'There were a number of striking moments, but one that really stood out was when a couple arrived looking rather lost. They came up to me and the man said, “I got the diagnosis yesterday - can you help us?” How humbled we were to be a part of enabling that family to make connections with so many agencies to help them.'
'We had a small cafe area for visitors, and it was never empty as carers sat to take time to catch up, or to leave a relative for a few minutes while they explored the stalls knowing their relative would be safe with us.
Would we do it again? Most certainly! It really felt good to be a valued partner with so many other agencies in the town… a fabulous working out of Kingdom life .
What did surprise us was the number of emails from the agencies expressing their gratitude at how we had cared for their workers on the day.
It was also a joy to welcome two new Anna Friends to our team, at our regular Wednesday service three weeks later, on October 11.
Richard Webber and Edith Orlando completed their training with diocesan lead for Anna Chaplaincy, Julia Burton-Jones, over the summer.
We now have a team of four Anna Chaplains and five Anna Friends. Julia noted, when introducing Richard and Edith to the congregation, that the team is now more evenly balanced, with four men and five women.'
Paul and Jean Kerr on behalf on the Anna Chaplaincy team at St Georges, Deal.
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