"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me."
(Matthew 25:35-36)
We are here to offer empathetic, non-judgemental, care and support anyone in our community.
We may not have the answers or be able to help directly ourselves, but we will always support you and try to point you in the right direction for further help.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is the activity which flows from the attitude and commitment to love one another because we ourselves, are first loved by God. It is ultimately concerned with developing quality relationships and enabling one another to recognise, follow and become more like Jesus.
It might involve: sustaining others through prolonged difficulty or immediate need, enabling the journey of healing and wholeness, considering the process of reconciliation with God, self and others, offering guidance about other resources and enabling different perspectives.
It might take the form of: listening, encouraging, visiting, hospitality, advocacy, mentoring, befriending, celebrating, practically helping, prayer, comforting, enabling.
It might happen: formally in planned and organised ways or informally through everyday spontaneous moments and might be offered by an individual, by small groups, or through a particular ministry.
Hospital Visiting
If you are unwell and taken into hospital then please contact us so that we can arrange to visit you, or arrange for hospital chaplaincy to see you. We or the chaplains can pray for you, bring you the sacrament of Holy Communion, annoint you with healing oil, or just spend some time with you talking and listening.
Loneliness and Isolation
If you are struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation then know that you are not alone! Many people experience these feelings at some point in their life. Do come to one of our services and you will be welcomed into a community where you can find belonging. You can contact us if you are worried at all.
We also have many groups you can join.
Death and Dying
Talking about death to people you care about is not easy. But when we don’t have honest conversations about this it can increase feelings of distress, loneliness and grief. If you or someone you know is seriously ill, then you can find we are here to accompany you, listen to you, and bring hope and comfort through prayer and rituals used in the Church.
Do please reach out and contact us.
Reconciliation
The Reconciliation of a penitent is used when a person’s conscience is burdened with a particular sin, when a person wishes to make a new beginning in the Christian life, or as part of a regular personal discipline. If through self-examination, confession and repentance you require further counsel then please speak to a minister in the Church. The aim of such a ministry of comfort and counsel is to establish an individual in the freedom and forgiveness of Christ. The reconciliation of a penitent, even when celebrated privately, remains a corporate action of the Church, because sin affects the unity of the body; through the absolution the penitent is restored to full fellowship in Christ.
If, in the context of such a confession, the penitent discloses that he or she has committed a serious crime, such as the abuse of children or vulnerable adults, the priest must require the penitent to report his or her conduct to the police or other statutory authority. If the penitent refuses to do so the priest should withhold absolution. The canonical duty of absolute confidentiality does not apply to anything that is said outside the context of such a confession. In particular, if information about abuse that was disclosed when seeking the ministry of absolution is repeated by the penitent outside that context the priest must follow the established procedures for reporting abuse of children or vulnerable adults.
Abuse
There are different kinds of abuse, but it's always about having power and control over you. You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If you are being abused, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone. The first step in escaping an abusive situation is realising that you're not alone and it's not your fault.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger
If you have information about a safeguarding situation where a child or adult is in immediate danger, or requires immediate medical attention, call emergency services on 999.
If there is no risk of immediate harm
If you do not think there is a risk of immediate harm, you must speak to an official about your concern as soon as possible. We encourage you to contact the Police by calling 101.
If you think that a child is at risk of being harmed or neglected you can also contact Social Care by, email:mash@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, phone:01344 352005. They will keep your name confidential if you wish.
Charities and voluntary organisations provide valuable support and advice on their websites and via their helplines:
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline if you’re worried about a child.: 0808 800 5000
- Childline if you’re a child or young person: 0800 1111
- National Domestic Violence Helpline if you’re experiencing domestic abuse.: 0808 2000 247
- Samaritans if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to: 116 123
- Action on Elder Abuse: 080 8808 8141 (free phone Monday to Friday 9- 5pm)
Dementia
Caring for a partner, relative or close friend with dementia is demanding and can be stressful. It's important to remember that your needs as a carer are as important as the person you're caring for. Family and friends can help in a variety of ways: from giving you a break, even if it's for only an hour, to taking the person with dementia to an activity or memory café.
Charities and voluntary organisations provide valuable support and advice on their websites and via their helplines:
- Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456
- Age UK Advice Line on 0800 678 1602 (free)
- Independent Age Helpline on 0800 319 6789 (free)
- Dementia UK's Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (free)
- Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053 (free)
- Carers UK Helpline on 0800 808 7777 (free)
Lots of local help and support can be found on the council website.
Foodbank
We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we support the local foodbank. They provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
You can access details on how the foodbank can support you on their website.
Mental Health
Being in good mental and spiritual health helps us cope with life despite the problems and challenges we face. It helps you make the most of your relationships with family and friends. Good mental health is something we can work towards every day. There are services in the area that can support adults and children.
- For out of hours emergency mental health support, call 0800 129 9999.
- For out of hours emergency social care support, call 01344 351999.
- You can also call Samaritans if you feel you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to: 116 123
Homelessness
If the council have not been able to prevent you from becoming homeless under the prevention duty, you will be owed the relief duty.
During the relief duty the council must take reasonable steps to help you to secure suitable accommodation. The relief duty lasts for up to 56 days and is available to all households who are homeless and eligible.
If you have no local connection to Bracknell Forest, the assistance the council can provide is limited.
During working hours you can call the council on 01344 352010
For out of hours emergency social care support, call 01344 351999.
The Pilgrim Hearts Trust is able to help the homeless and those on the edge of society by providing facilities thanks to generous donations from many people and local businesses.
Pilgrim Hearts General enquiries line: 01344 307030