Southampton's Anna Chaplaincy gets a welcome boost

New grant makes work possible in Southampton for an Anna Chaplain in one of the five highest risk areas of social isolation among older people in the city.

Southampton's Anna Chaplaincy is thrilled to have a received a three-year grant from The Henry Smith Charity, which 'aims to use our resources to help people and communities at a time of need and to bring about positive change'.

Supported by the local churches, the grant will fund an Anna Chaplain to work with the older generation in the communities of Lordshill and Maybush in the western parts of the city. Margaret Hague has been appointed to continue this work.

Cruise liners in the port of Southampton

Margaret says: "It is a wonderful privilege to have received a grant to fund the Anna Chaplaincy in Southampton West. I believe our older years should be fun and well worth living! Older people have such wisdom, wit and love to impart to others.

'It can be easy at times to be overwhelmed by frailty, bereavement, change or loneliness, but with the right support I believe our older population can enjoy life and have hope for the future.

'Southampton West provides a great challenge, as Lordshill has a significantly higher percentage of older people over 65 as opposed to the rest of the city, making it one of the five highest risk areas in the city of social isolation among older people. Neighbouring Maybush also has a very high risk area of social isolation among those over 65, with hospital admissions for fall injuries within that age bracket being above the city average.

'The opportunities are great and the door is wide open to bring about support, hope and a lasting change to the quality of these dear ones' lives. Working with the local churches, and by God's grace and wisdom, I am so looking forward to setting up activities and groups for the older people in their communities and getting to know them all better. If you would like to be practically involved do please let me know.'

If you’d like more information, contact Margaret at margaret.hague@caraway.uk.com.

Meanwhile, in other Anna Chaplaincy news in the city:

Anna Chaplain, Esther Clift writes:

'I’ve been delighted to see the ministry to older people really grow during lockdown, with take away lunch club deliveries, and people networking wider with the citywide Caraway activities – like the Taste of Spring. We are producing a monthly DVD and it is now on YouTube for anyone to enjoy. See youtube.com/watch?v=-cu-rS4jWWE for our Easter service.

'We have been able to pray for our care homes in the parish, during the pandemic, and are looking forward to reconnecting face to face when we can. We have a lively group who meet weekly to resource each other spiritually, and plan and pray for our older people’s ministry.'

Additional news from Anna Chaplains supported by the Caraway charity may be found on their website.