The office of Faith in Older People is now closed; if you wish to contact us please email Maureen O’Neill at director@fiop.org.uk
We believe that spiritual care is much broader than any one faith or religion, and is of relevance to everyone.
Why we exist
We educate, encourage and support volunteers, health and social care workers, members of faith communities and other agencies to increase their understanding of spiritual care and issues around ageing.
Our work
We are an educational, research and awareness raising organisation working across three broad themes:
Dementia Care and Faith Communities
Mental Health, Older People and Faith Communities
Spiritual Care Education
News and Blogs
Inspiring Debbie Ducille
Attendees from all over Scotland, and beyond, joined the Anna Chaplaincy team at BRF Ministries and Edinburgh-based charity Faith in Older People yesterday (March 20) for the fourth in a …
Rebecca Patterson, Director of Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief reflects
Last March, Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief worked with Faith in Older People to pull together a joint newsletter focusing on bereavement issues. One year on, Rebecca Patterson, Director …
Meaning, Purpose and Hope
The World Health Organization defines health as being comprised of ‘body, mind and spirit’. The spiritual dimension is often ignored and misunderstood. However, it plays a significant part in our …
Upcoming events will be announced here.
Free online course
Spiritual Care Matters
Spiritual Care Matters is an online learning course designed to promote, recognise, respect and support the spiritual well-being of older people. The course is an introduction to spiritual care, exploring how spiritual care is defined, what it means in practice and why it matters. The course uses Open Badges to recognise learning for ongoing staff development.
Why Spiritual Care is important
“It (spiritual care and wellbeing) makes your job easier – you focus on the right things which means you and the individual you are privileged to work with, are empowered. ”
– Support worker
“The Spiritual Care Matters course points out the value of simple communication, kindnesses but above all else presence.”
– Chaplain
“Looking after the spiritual wellbeing of the whole workforce means the staff feel respected, appreciated and trusted. it helps create a supportive atmosphere”
– Care home manager