Anna Chaplaincy

We have two Commissioned Anna Chaplains working across the Ouse Valley Benefice: Pat Blyth & Jonathan Webster.

The title ‘Anna Chaplain’ remembers Anna, the widow and faithful older person who, together with Simeon, recognised the baby Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfilment of God’s promises. The name ‘Anna’ reinforces a hope-filled ministry which highlights the tradition of older people having prophetic voices, which recognises that many older people have wisdom to impart to younger generations and life lessons to share when it comes to spiritual formation. Appropriately, Anna, the name, means ‘gift’ or ‘grace’.

Adapted from: www.annachaplaincy.org.uk/history

The main purpose of their roles as Anna Chaplains is to:

• Offer spiritual support to older people who are living in care homes, their own homes and sheltered housing, their relatives and people who look after them.

• Promote the spiritual welfare of older people in the wider community, particularly those facing challenges living independently across our rural villages that make-up the Ouse Valley Benefice.

As Anna Chaplains they:

Work with older people:

• Helping older people reflect on their spiritual journey, including the healing of memories and dealing with outstanding issues that might emerge. 

• Offer spiritual support so that older people may live more peacefully in their last years and prepare to face the end of their earthly lives.

• Act as an advocate for the needs of older people in church and in the wider community.

Support relatives and carers:

• Help and support relatives to understand better the spiritual issues that older people face in the latter stages of their lives.

• Help and support relatives with the responsibilities of caring for older people in their family.

• Provide a link/ point of spiritual contact for those older people who have been either admitted or discharged from hospital working with the QEHKL Chaplaincy Team.

Support people working with older people:

• Help people to understand better the spiritual issues that older people face in the latter stages of their lives.

• Offer spiritual support to people working with older people in their care.

• Help those involved in providing care to formulate and implement the values underlying the care they offer.

Working with churches:

• Help inform and coordinate our church’s work with older people.

• Help our churches across the Ouse Valley Benefice to identify, recognise and appreciate the value and contribution that older people can make to our church life and growth.

• Encourage our churches to understand the needs of older people, using them in the best ways and supporting the work undertaken with them.

• Encourage and enable younger generations to consider what constitutes ‘successful ageing’ and so prepare for more positive experiences in older age.

Working with the community:

• Help volunteers to understand better the role of Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends.

• Help volunteers to understand when and how to call upon an Anna Chaplain to support those living independently in the community.

• Developing partnerships with local voluntary groups, running joint events and activities.

Working across the generations:

• Build partnerships with our local schools along with groups that meet locally.

• Increase the understanding of how young and old can learn from each other and enjoy each other’s company.

• Breaking down stereotypes linked to older age and ageing.

Adapted from: www.annachaplaincy.org.uk/about-anna-chaplaincy