Church in the Care Homes Initiative
The following message was delivered to Churches Together in Gravesham AGM in 2025. New Barn is part of this initiative and has 'adopted' Hevercourt Care Home. Please read on...
Introduction - the need today
How would you feel if, after having attended church for most of your life, access to anything remotely spiritual was suddenly cut off? Or, if you were facing a life-and-death situation, that there was no one to pray with you or where you could seek guidance on what God’s will was for your life? Well, that’s the situation facing those whose disabilities mean they need a level of care that cannot be provided at home. It is reported that over 400,000 people are living in care or nursing homes in the UK - that’s around 4% of the UK over 65’s population.
For many of these people, if they were a regular church attender, that part of their life has now ended. Although they may be able to listen to bible readings, hymns and gospel messages, the ability to ask questions or interact with other Christians is practically non-existent. Similarly, for those already living in a home, who want to know more about whether God really loves them, the afterlife or who want prayer, then typically there is nothing they can access.
In short – there is no ‘Good News’ message.
Some homes we have spoken to say they find it practically impossible to engage local ministers when a resident has a spiritual or end-of-life need. If contact is made, then access to ministers is extremely limited, typically to short one-off visits. That can’t be right. The Good News of Jesus Christ is for everyone – but who is going to bring it? Jesus made it clear that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be involved in spreading HIS ‘Good News’. That is what this initiative is all about – bringing the love of God and his message to those living in Care homes, who would otherwise never hear.
So what is our response?
For the past 10+ years we have been running what many churches would call, ‘an outreach’ into a local nursing home. The purpose for doing this is simple: To demonstrate the love of God for those living and working at the home. This is achieved through the activities of providing a regular ‘good news’ church service, a visiting program, and involvement in the home’s weekly social activities.
The involvement has been well received to the extent that we are now welcome to come in at any time and are seen by the residents and staff as a ‘spiritual advisor’. We have also seen several residents, through the church services, putting their faith in Christ – some who had never been regular church attenders. We are convinced that there are many people in care homes who would love to have the opportunity to hear and respond to Christ’s message of love and hope. But who can deliver this?
The Care home situation in Gravesham
Currently, there are 10 residential Care homes in the Gravesham area. These are:
- Hevercourt Care Home, Goodwood Crescent, Gravesend, DA12 5EY. A family-owned care facility providing residential care for older people living with dementia.
- Wombwell Hall Care Home, Wombwell Gardens, Northfleet, Gravesend, DA11 8BL A 120-bed care home offering specialist residential nursing care and palliative care for those living with dementia and other conditions.
- The Hollies. 86-90 Darnley Road, Gravesend, DA11 0SE A family-led 39-bed care home specializing in care for older people, set in attractive landscaped gardens with spacious and well-equipped bedrooms.
- Chestnuts, Wrotham Rd, Meopham, Gravesend DA13 9AH. A family owned and run care home with 29 single rooms set in an acre of grounds and situated in the village of Meopham.
- Withens Nursing Home, Hook Green Road, Southfleet, Gravesend, DA13 9NP. A traditional and comfortable care facility with 27 rooms, providing nursing care for the elderly in a warm and friendly environment.
- Orchard Cottage, 78 Old Road East, Gravesend, DA12 1PE. A small care residence housing up to ten individuals, catering to the elderly with a focus on personalized care.
- Larchwood Grove, 60 Parrock Road, Gravesend, DA12 1QH Provides residential care for individuals with learning disabilities and physical disabilities, offering both long-term and respite care.
- Echo Square House, 70 Parrock Road, Gravesend, DA12 1QH A residential care home specializing in support for individuals with learning disabilities, focusing on personalized care.
- Sheringham House, 54 Old Road East, Gravesend, DA12 1NR Offers residential care for individuals with learning disabilities and physical disabilities, emphasizing a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Edwin Therapeutic Unit, 82 Edwin Street, Gravesend, DA12 1EJ Provides residential care for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health needs, including support for those with eating disorders.
It is our desire that each home be adopted by a church, who can work with the home management in providing spiritual guidance and support where needed. At the current time, Hevercourt Care Home has been adopted by NBCF, and Wombwell Hall Care Home has been adopted CPC.
Based on the work already done, we have developed a program that any practicing Christian, with support from their local church, could deliver. This program falls into the 3 areas mentioned above of:
- Running a church service. Here we can provide resources that include short gospel messages, Bible readings and hymns, and ways how they can be delivered – even if there is no suitable musician available.
- 1-on-1 resident visits. We can provide notes and experiences of how this can work, how to talk with people nearing end-of-life, and how to engage with the care home management and staff.
- Involvement in the home’s social activities. This consists of resources such as quizzes and general topics of interest that can be delivered
We do not expect people to engage in any of the above activities until they have seen for themselves what’s involved at a practical level. For this purpose, we invite those interested to attend sessions held at the current nursing homes we serve. This can either be as an observer, or by helping at an organised activity.
From this, you can then assess whether this outreach is for you and your church. And if you do go ahead, we invite you to meet up with us to see how we can support you and to share ideas on what we can do to improve the initiative.
To find out more or to get involved, please contact either Michael or myself via our church offices
We ask for God’s continued guidance in what we do and for him to give us favour in each home we serve, so that both residents and staff alike will come to know the God who loves them and wants to guide them through this life and the next.
God bless you
Michael Coveney. City Praise Centre
Ron Owen. Mobile: New Barn Christian Fellowship