Humanists NRPSN leaflet by Savage and Gray Design Ltd

IT’S GOOD TO

talk SO WE’RE HERE TO LISTEN

We aim to ensure that non-religious people have the opportunityto access appropriate and effective like-minded pastoral support that is tailored to work for them

WHO WE ARE At present, non-religious people are not effectively provided pastoral support in UK institutional and community settings. We are a network of trained and accredited non-religious pastoral carers, who are there to meet that gap in provision and support people at some of the most challenging times in their lives. We ensure the highest standards from our members, by sustaining a mutually supportive community of practice. We also promote the need for non-religious pastoral support within organisations across the UK, making sure people have access to the care they need, when they need it. We believe that equality of provision matters. With over half of people in Britain now identifying as non-religious, we believe it should be a top priority for institutions to increase the number of non-religious carers within pastoral, spiritual and religious care departments, and therefore increase the availability of care in the form people want it across all sectors and services. Inclusion of non-religious providers in pastoral care teams results in wider service user choice, and better outcomes for the individual, the institution, and the community.

OUR WORK We provide and promote a highly effective network of pastoral carers to support people who need help. Through our bespoke induction programme, we are able to train, assess, and endorse non-religious providers, to ensure the highest quality of service. We also offer ongoing support to our members through clinical supervision and CPD, developing their practice and supporting their careers. We work with bodies like the NHS and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPSS), as well as various chaplaincy groups involved in the provision of pastoral, spiritual, and religious care. Our aim is to make sure these bodies better understand the pastoral care needs of non-religious people and cooperate with us in implementing policies, plans and practices so that those needs are met. Our ongoing engagement with key governing bodies continues to increase equality of pastoral care provision for all patients, prisoners, and students and ensure that everybody is able to access pastoral support that fits their worldview. The NRPSN continues to raise awareness of this kind of support so non-religious people know where to turn when they need it. Currently, we have volunteers operating in hospitals, hospices, prisons, and universities, and we are now looking to expand this offering to the armed forces, residential care homes, the emergency services, and community settings that would benefit from pastoral support services. Our members meet people in an environment where they can feel comfortable, providing an important alternative to religious support. WANT TO RECRUIT A NON-RELIGIOUS PASTORAL CARER? Our volunteers come from all walks of life but they share a number of common qualities: a personable disposition, a non-judgemental attitude, a keen commitment to helping others, a strenuous work ethic, patience, and a desire to work collaboratively with team members of other religions and beliefs. To arrange for a non-religious pastoral support volunteer at your institution, please contact our Head of Pastoral Support on simon@nrpsn.org.uk, or 02073243069, or write to Simon O’Donoghue, NRPSN, c/o Humanists UK, 39 Moreland Street, London, EC1V 8BB. WANT TO BECOME A NON-RELIGIOUS PASTORAL CARER? The Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network was set up, developed, and constituted by Humanists UK. Membership is open to all those who can articulate a clear non-religious belief system that is consistent with the values of a modern democratic society. All members must also show a commitment to our mutual objective of achieving equality of access for the non-religious to pastoral support from likeminded non-religious individuals. All members go through a rigorous vetting and training process.

HOW TO BECOME AN ACCREDITED NETWORK MEMBER Humanists UK accredits members of the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network and endorses them to work/volunteer in various institutions including healthcare, prisons, and universities. Our endorsement procedures are maintained by a thorough recruitment process, an induction training programme, and a careful assessment of the competencies and capabilities required to provide care to a high standard. Accreditation is subject to members successfully completing further training provided by the relevant institution. If you would like any further information relating to the work of the NRPSN, or to find out about training and how you can become a member, please contact our Head of Pastoral Support at info@nrpsn.org.uk or on 020 4324 3069, or simply visit nrpsn.org.uk.

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