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Male MHA chaplain smiling at female care home resident

Chaplaincy & spirituality

We're dedicated to fulfilling the spiritual needs of our residents, enabling them to live later life well.

An older male care home resident chats outside with a care worker wearing a covid mask

Our dedicated chaplains

Our chaplaincy service is one of the things that makes MHA special. Inspired by our Methodist heritage, we nurture the mind, body and spirit of everyone we serve, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds. We believe this is essential for living later life well.

We have a chaplain in every care home and most retirement living communities. They offer personal support, comfort and a listening ear to anyone who needs it. They also arrange worship services for those who want to join and encourage residents to keep in touch with local faith groups.

Our chaplains provide a person-centred approach and deliver pastoral care with warmth, compassion, humour, mutual respect, strength and hope, aiming to inspire those we care for.

My aunt has been a resident with MHA for four years. The chaplain got to know my aunt and sat with her on the day she died. He was very supportive of my sister, who was also there that day.

Relative

The fact that MHA offered a chaplaincy service was a deciding factor in our choice of care home! I think it is of particular importance for residents like Mum, who were regular churchgoers prior to needing full-time care. Had we not had chaplaincy during the very protracted ‘COVID period’, things may have been unbearable.

Relative

The chaplain brings such warmth to the home and gets ‘stuck in’ to every part of life. She has been there for my mum in the day to day and in the challenging times. Her relationship to my mum has become significant. 

Relative
Flower arranging Halloween activity - Moor Allerton

Spiritual care for later life

We understand the importance of spirituality and respect the diversity of spiritual expressions. We involve each person in shaping how we support their spiritual wellbeing.

Our spirituality strategy ensures that we provide quality spiritual care for residents, members, families and colleagues. The strategy guides us for the next three years to achieve our mission, values and vision.

MHA Chaplaincy - person holding a cross on Palm Sunday

Our end of life care: a place of peace and support

For many residents in our care homes, MHA is their final home. Our chaplains play an important role in helping them and their relatives face their last years with acceptance, peace and fulfilment.

Our chaplains and care colleagues are trained to support residents and their families as they explore what the end of life will mean for them and their loved ones, as well as for our colleagues and volunteers in the home.

We have developed The Final Lap - an award-winning programme that ensures all MHA care homes are places where death and dying are handled with openness, positivity and support. We're also have a three year end of life care strategy that outlines our commitments to give our residents the best possible end of life care.