Older people face devastating challenges of loneliness, isolation and dementia. They may have serial losses, such as mobility, health, home, status, and loved ones. Before the pandemic, half a million older people went at least 5 or 6 days each week seeing or speaking to no one (Age UK). Today, 850,000 people are living with dementia in the UK (dementiastatistics.org). The Care Commission states that older people’s needs include emotional, social and spiritual needs, but these are often unmet.

BRF’s Anna Chaplains provide emotional and spiritual care for older people and their carers. They create opportunities to meet, talk, and share experiences, sometimes in profound and powerful one-to-one exchanges. They build trusting relationships, foster hope and resilience, and tailor the approach to the individual. They listen to the person’s story, enabling them to reflect on any unresolved issues and to help them be reconciled. Volunteers, called Anna Friends, also support this work.