We are facilitating parishes across Lewisham in coming together to strengthen the pastoral care offered to older members of our communities. Following an encouraging deanery-wide meeting in March, we formed a sub-group which met in September to start shaping some practical next steps.
The conversation built on a shared sense that, while a lot of wonderful work is already happening in our parishes, it doesn’t always reach those who are most isolated. Many older people simply don’t see the information being shared on digital platforms — so one of the main focuses is finding better ways to communicate and connect.
Mapping what’s already happening
One of the key ideas emerging from the discussion was to map all the existing activities and support for older people across Lewisham Deanery. This will help highlight what’s already in place, such as visiting Eucharistic ministers, parish groups and social gatherings, while also revealing where extra help or new initiatives might be needed.
As part of this, we will be piloting a social justice survey in Lewisham, which we hope to roll out across all parishes in the Archdiocese. The pilot will give a clearer picture of pastoral care on the ground and celebrate the hidden work already being done quietly in parishes every day.
Training and support
Training and support are another key part of the plan. Working with the Anna Chaplaincy network, there’s interest in creating a local resource-sharing network where parish representatives can learn from one another’s approaches and receive training tailored to pastoral care for older people.
Looking ahead
The group will meet again online on Tuesday 28 January 2026 at 7pm to review progress on mapping, communication, and training. If you’d like to get involved, or whether you’re simply interested in learning more about what we’re doing as part of this project, get in touch with us at caritassouthwark@rcaos.org.uk!
