Non-Religious Pastoral Care

David Savage took a leading role in establishing the non-religious pastoral care programme at Humanists UK. In 2012 he started to provide pastoral care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and was the first non-religious person to successfully complete their spiritual healthcare department’s two-year professional training course. He continues to provide care at the Trust and is helping to found a non-religious pastoral care role at the University of Surrey. Dr Savage is chair of the board of the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network.

• Acknowledgements ; Foreword ; 1 Introduction; PART I: THE SOCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT; 2 The Development of Pastoral, Spiritual, and Religious Care Practice; 3 Public Perceptions of Chaplains and Non-Religious Pastoral Carers; 4 Religious, and Non-Religious Beliefs in Society; Part II: NON-RELIGIOUS PASTORAL CARE PRACTICE; 5 Beliefs and Values; 6 Roles, Skills, and Competencies; 7 Death, Rituals, and Memorials; 8 Ethical Behaviour; Part III: THE ROLE OF THE INSTITUTIONS; 9 Introduction; 10 Understanding People’s Needs; 11 Effective Communications; 12 Better Recruitment; 13 Policy and Practice Development; Index

'This is a much-needed intervention on the growing phenomenon of non-religious pastoral care within chaplaincy contexts. It will undoubtedly raise challenges for chaplaincies and institutions across a wide range of settings in British public life.' - Ben Ryan, Researcher at Theos Think Tank, author of A Very Modern Ministry: Chaplaincy in the UK‘This timely book sketches an innovative and inspiring view of pastoral care that is relevant for professionals and managers involved in spiritual/pastoral care provisions and chaplaincy, both within and beyond the UK. Using both scientific evidence and case examples, David Savage makes a well-founded and passionate plea for a more inclusive pastoral care service in which pastoral care needs of all people are taken seriously and can be addressed.’ – Carmen Schuhmann, Assistant Professor, Dep. Globalization and Dialogue Studies, University of Humanistic Studies