What happens when a church invests in older people...

The Pilgrims' Magazine features the work of network member Sally Nevitt and her colleagues in Southbourne, Bournemouth in its latest summer edition. Under a headline - 'Older People taken seriously' it highlights the benefits of having a chaplain to older people and a team of volunteers.

Among those showcased are volunteers in their seventies and eighties, Dinah and Veronica. Each extols the virtues of coming alongside people in their later years.

'I moved to the area three or four years ago and I didn't know anyone... As a volunteer, I've made new connections and I really feel part of the community,' says Dinah.

For Veronica too, she sees people flourishing as they make social contacts through the Immanuel Church:

'We don't pry but if someone wants to talk we're here to be a listening ear and we'll offer to pray with them. Some people have lost most of their family and have got nobody and they come here and find a new family, in a way. It's lovely.'

Chaplain, Sally Nevitt

Sally Nevitt was initially employed as an outreach worker through an organisation providing domiciliary care. Through this role she was linked to Immanuel Church which eventually took her on as a member of staff. It was then that she first made contact with the Anna Chaplaincy network and become one of the first members. Since then she has gone on to be commissioned as a Chaplain to Older People.

'I was brought in to start a whole raft of activities for older people,' says Sally. 'The aim was that there would be something every day of the week for people to come along to, with a special emphasis on activities for people with dementia.'

For her, being able to serve older people, she says, has been an absolute joy.

'There's an awful lot of lonely people out there, and loneliness isn't just damaging to mental health. One study found that it can be as damaging to your physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Here we have an opportunity to do something about that.'

If you'd like to read the Pilgrims' Magazine's full article plus many other stories in this latest edition you may download it for free and request to be sent a free paper copy (or even a bundle of them to share with others in your church or community group).

Distinguished writer on ageing, James Woodward once wrote that:

'A church with an older group fully engaged, affirmed and valued is a healthy and growing church.'

Immanuel Church, Bournemouth is living proof of that. Debbie Thrower, founder of Anna Chaplaincy, adds:

'This article, and the many examples of good practice Sally can provide, show how when a church takes ministry among its older people seriously - in the congregation as well as in community round about - it is investing not only in people but in growth, and that means bags of vitality for the future!'

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