New leadership team for Parish Nursing Ministries UK
It is hoped parish nursing can reach even more communities with the arrival of a new leadership team to build on what has already been developed
Dr Ros Moore and Baptist minister the Revd Dr Helen Wordsworth both retired from their executive responsibilities with Parish Nursing Ministries UK at the end of April.
Succeeding them at the helm of this growing ministry is the newly appointed team of Sue Bretherick, Chief Executive Officer, and Anne Taylor, Director of Nursing.
Sue has a background in the Christian charitable sector, and has mainly focused on people groups who are experiencing high levels of deprivation and vulnerability.
She said, ‘I believe the new structure within PNMUK, namely a Director of Nursing role alongside the CEO role, will strengthen the organisation to reach even further into our communities and nation. My particular skill set lends itself to charitable structure, strategy and organisational focus, which should enable us to seek resources to fully support the vision of growth. I would personally like to see PNMUK made known and accessible to all churches who would like to see it as part of their missional arm.
‘I believe we have a wonderful opportunity at this stage in the organisation’s life, to reach into new areas, and to further strengthen the excellent work being carried out.
‘Our communities need Parish Nurses like never before, and I particularly love the way Parish Nurses can support people who otherwise would never know the love of Jesus through the care of His church.’
Anne is a registered nurse. She began work as a District Nurse in 1995, and has worked with the Open University as a Practice Tutor alongside sessional district nursing. She is also a licensed Parish Worker.
She said, ‘The prospect of integrating my practice as a Nurse with my practice as a Christian in working for Parish Nursing Ministries UK is both exciting and has the feeling of vocation. I am very much looking forward to working with churches and nurses in the extraordinary healing ministry of Parish Nursing.’
Parish nurses are appointed by churches and support people and communities towards whole person healthcare, care for the person’s overall well-being, incorporating body, mind and spirit.
Helen, a Baptist minister with a background in nursing and health visiting, played a key role in the formation and development of the multi-denominational ministry.
In December 2001 she submitted a dissertation towards to The University of Wales, developing the concept for application in the UK. Through subsequent conferences and consultations, a steering group eventually gave birth to seven pilot projects in a number of Christian denominations in January 2004, supported by an education programme.
The introductory course for registered nurses in the UK runs three times a year. There are now nearly 100 trained Parish Nurses working in a growing number of churches or Christian organisations in England, Wales and Scotland.
Helen became the charity’s chief executive in 2013. Ros, a Methodist and former Chief Nurse of Scotland, took on the mantle in 2015, with Helen working alongside her.
Helen will now be focusing on writing and her international work with the Westberg Institute for Faith Community Nursing, but will still be available for speaking engagements, teaching, and advocacy work.
She said, 'I am delighted about the appointment of Sue and Anne to continue and grow this work, and have every confidence that they will lead with faith, wisdom and commitment.'
She added, ‘In these pandemic times, Parish nurses around the UK have been busier than ever, using phone and internet facilities to answer questions on health issues, refer on where necessary, check that all their service users are well supplied with food and other essentials, and provide spiritual care. A vicar described Parish nursing as the “Christian church’s best kept secret” and urged us to make it more widely known.’
Baptist Times, 14/05/2020