Happy New Year 2023 to one and all

Caring for older people is central to the archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby's New Year message. Filmed at a Methodist Homes (MHA) care home in Whitstable, Kent – a county with one of the highest proportions of Anna Chaplains anywhere in Britain – he says ‘caring goes to the heart of what it means to be human’.

The archbishop didn't pull any punches about the current state of social care in the UK though. As reported in the Church Times, Justin Welby insists our social care system is 'broken'.

Archbishop Welby said, 'We know our care system is broken: but it doesn’t have to be. We can rise to the challenge of fixing it. That means action from all of us; you, me, families, communities and government.'

The Archbishops' Reimagining Care Commission report is due on 24 January. The chair of the Archbishops’ Commission, Dr Anna Dixon MBE, said that the report would 'address some of the long-standing challenges affecting social care and set out a hopeful vision of what care and support could and should be like.'

'We cannot simply tinker around the edges of the existing social care system. We need a new settlement that gives choice and control to people who draw on care and support, equips and empowers communities, and offers far greater support and recognition to unpaid carers.'

Meanwhile, BRF's chief executive, Richard Fisher, in his New Year message paid tribute to all the charity's ministries such as Messy Church and gave thanks, too, for Anna Chaplaincy saying:

'I think of our network of Anna Chaplains – many of them retired, some in their 70s and even 80s themselves – who are ministering among older people in care homes and in their local communities, offering spiritual care, love and friendship to some of the most vulnerable in our society. We were excited to reach the milestone number of 260 Anna Chaplains in December.'

Join us as we step into this new year with BRF's new prayer:

Faithful God,

thank you for growing BRF

from small beginnings

into a worldwide family of ministries.

We rejoice as young and old

discover you through your word

and grow daily in faith and love.

Keep us humble in your service,

ambitious for your glory

and open to new opportunities.

For your name's sake.

Amen

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