Spiritual Care Series Course
Introduction
Older people have a better quality of life when those who care for them understand their spiritual needs and are skilled in delivering this kind of care. This easy-to-access, eight-session training course develops confidence, understanding and skills in anyone offering spiritual care to an older person. The Spiritual Care Series is a highly effective course developed by leading practitioners in the UK care of older people including John Swinton.

What is the Spiritual Care Series Course?
The course is a comprehensive introduction to enabling people to offer good quality spiritual care in their local communities. Here are just some of the key features of the course:
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Eight two-hour sessions with video material to introduce each topic and provoke discussion
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Available and licensed by BRF and Anna Chaplaincy for older people in the UK, who are taking a lead nationally in quality of support for older peoples’ ministry
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Recognises that ‘a person is not truly healthy if he or she is struggling to understand the meaning and purpose for their life’
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Has been successfully piloted with Anna Chaplaincy members in the Northeast


Course sessions
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Understanding the ageing process
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Spirituality in ageing
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Good communication
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The power of storytelling
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Dementia
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A new home and a new way of life
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Grief, loss, death and dying
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Roles, boundaries and self-care
Cost
£360 per initial course pack (six users), includes:
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Six participant handbooks
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Two facilitator guides
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Access to the Bridge online learning environment
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One DVD
£60 for each additional user, includes:
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One participant handbook
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Access to the Bridge online learning environment
What the training provides
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Participants gain an understanding of older peoples’ needs, as well as confidence and skills in providing spiritual care
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The training material reflects Christian values but does not assume them. This training is suitable for use by people and in contexts of all faiths or of none
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Churches can access a comprehensive training package for those who work with older people
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High-quality content delivered in a highly engaging and memorable way
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Groups can deliver it as best suits them – in person or online
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Learning is reinforced and assessed through quizzes as you go along
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This training integrates well with existing Anna Chaplaincy training pathways
Recommended for
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Christians who want to offer good spiritual care to older people in their church, in the community or care homes
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Authorised ministers (ordained or lay) who want to specialise in offering spiritual care to older people
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Chaplains in other sectors and who work with older people
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Anna Chaplains, Anna Friends and people in equivalent roles in their local church
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Churches who want to train a pastoral care team in developing skills and good practice
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A benefice, deanery, Churches Together group and other local or regional church groupings who want to offer training
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Care home staff and other professionals wanting to provide good spiritual care