Our News

Learning across the borders in bereavement care

2 May 2008

We are holding an open study day to explore the place of spirituality in the delivery of care to people this June.

The day, on Wednesday 18 June will focus on the role of spiritual care as one of the ‘cornerstones’ upon which palliative care is provided, examining in particular, the challenges of addressing spirituality across boundaries, whether those be the boundaries of faith, culture or geography.

Scott Watts, Chaplain at Sue Ryder Care – St John’s Hospice, visited Poland to study the approach taken by Polish colleagues to bereavement counselling. His visit was part of an on-going Twinning relationship between Sue Ryder Care - St John’s Hospice and the Dom Sue Ryder in Bydgoszcz.

On returning from his visit Scott was determined to explore the role of spirituality in care further and suggested a open study day where local communities and spiritual and religious leaders could come together and develop relationships and share learning.

The Care Centre manager at Sue Ryder Care – St John’s Hospice, Pauline Panter, who also visited Dom Sue Ryder, Poland added:

“We have already learnt so much from our twinning with the Dom Sue Ryder in Bydgoszcz and we wanted to progress this shared learning into a wider audience, within Sue Ryder Care, other care organisations and the local community. By holding this study day we hope to build on what we have learnt and develop relationships within the local community both with the polish communities and other spiritual and religious leaders.”

The study day has had a big response amongst Sue Ryder Care staff, volunteers and members of the local community and there are still places left. Anyone who is interested in taking part should contact Pauline Panter at Sue Ryder Care – St. John’s Hospice pauline.panter@suerydercare.org

Date - Wednesday 18 June

Time - 10am – 4pm

Place - Priory Methodist Church, Newnham Avenue, Bedford. MK41 9QJ

Cost - £10 per head including lunch

Speakers -  Rev Dr Piotr Krakowiak – National Chaplain of Hospices, Poland, Dr Wendi Momen JP – Chair, Bedford Council of Faiths, Bharti Tailor – Chair, Hindu Forum of Britain Chaplaincy Board and Rev David Stoter – Trustee, Sue Ryder Care.

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