Recognising a person’s spiritual dimension is one of the most vital aspects of care and recovery in mental health.

This new Spirituality and Recovery Strategy is supported by clear objectives and action plans. It will help to make spirituality a meaningful concept for service users and staff. It will also ensure that there are real service improvements as a result. CPFT will ensure that spirituality is embedded in all its care pathways and that the action plans meet the needs of service users, carers and all staff.

Spirituality is not confined to the followers of a particular religion. It can be described as “breath”, the essence of human beings or what brings them to life and provides hopefulness, energy, direction and motivation in their lives. The identification of spirituality is, therefore part of the process of seeing and understanding people holistically, and plays an essential role in an individual’s recovery”.
(W Beeson, The Newsletter Aug 06).

Chaplaincy

Being in hospital may cause a lot of different feelings. The chaplaincy team offers spiritual and pastoral support to people of all faiths, as well as people who do not have particular beliefs but who would like someone to talk to. The chaplaincy team is supported by community faith leaders and by volunteers. The hospital chaplains are available to everyone - whether you are a patient, relative, friend, member of staff, and whatever your faith. Please ask a member of staff to contact us or, if you prefer, contact us directly.

Training for staff in religions and beliefs of the world

The Spiritual, Religious and Pastoral Care Team has organised on behalf of staff an introduction to the beliefs and cultures of leading faith groups throughout the world. The full programme is attached right and the first session is on Buddhism on 30 September 2010.

The training is being led by faith leaders throughout Peterborough who have offered their synagogues, mosques and temples as venues to add to the experience for staff. The training should be enjoyable and interactive offering staff an opportunity to build on their knowledge of different cultures to support them in their work and at a personal level. Dependant on demand and feedback future sessions can be offered in the New Year.

For more information, contact Mary Hanna, Chaplain, on 01733 776080 or 07887 655713.

Cambridge John Nicholson Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Cambridge CB21 5EF T 01223 218598 M 07771 787249 john.nicholson@cpft.nhs.uk

Peterborough and Huntingdon Rowena Bass The Cavell Centre, Edith Cavell Healthcare Campus, Bretton Gate, Peterborough PE3 6GZ T 01733 776000 rowena.bass@cpft.nhs.uk

Mary Hanna The Cavell Centre, Edith Cavell Healthcare Campus, Bretton Gate, Peterborough PE3 6GZ T 01733 776000 M 07887 655713 mary.hanna@cpft.nhs.uk