Here we are in July about to take a summer break to recoup our energy and plan for the future. It has been a rollercoaster for so many people as they cope with working from home, managing family and work commitments. We all need that space in which to stop and have an oasis of time for ourselves, friends, and family.
We have missed being in the same room as our colleagues with the chat over coffee and real human contact. However, we have all adapted to new ways of working and Zoom and Teams have brought many benefits in continuing and developing our work and engaging with a range of colleagues, sharing ideas and information. Our events have enabled people from all different parts of the UK to participate and for us to do likewise.
Imagination in adapting services to meet the needs of the most vulnerable and the commitment shown by so many in ensuring that services continue. But the opportunity to talk to colleagues and people receiving care has highlighted the inequities and the importance of taking the time now to put in imaginative renewal and reconstruction of services. ‘If not now -When’? must be our watchword as we see the development of a National Care Service and the implementation of the recommendations from the Social Renewal Board.
As Faith in Older People (FiOP) goes forward
- we will be considering spiritual care education for nurses and health and social care staff
- reinforcing the importance of the spiritual dimension to the lives of older people
- recognising the vital contribution of older people to our faith communities and wider society
- continuing to highlight the support we need to provide to older people with enduring, serious mental health challenges
FiOP has benefited from sharing issues and solutions with colleagues in the Older Peoples Strategic Action Forum in which we have been able to discuss
- human rights
- inequalities in health and digital provision
- the Review of Social Care
- the Social Renewal recommendations
- the services and solutions that the organisations around the table have provided
We have much to achieve in the autumn term and know how much we depend on working collaboratively with skilled and experienced colleagues and a range of organisations. As always much to do.
Maureen O’Neill
Director, Faith in Older People
July 2021