Spiritual and pastoral care
What we mean by Spiritual Care
Facing serious illness or the end of life often brings up big questions about identity, meaning, connection, and change. At North London Hospice we offer spiritual care as part of our commitment to treating the whole person, not just the condition.
Spirituality isn’t just about religion. It’s about what helps you feel grounded, what gives your life direction, and how you relate to the world around you, including the unknown.
Everyone has a way of making sense of things. Our job is to make room for that: to listen well, to ask careful questions, and to be alongside patients and families in whatever they’re going through.
Who we are
Our spiritual care team includes a spiritual care co-ordinator on staff and a group of trained, multi-faith volunteer chaplains. We support people of all faiths and none, and we work across our Inpatient Unit and in the community.
If patients are looking for someone from a specific faith background, we’ll do our best to connect them and coordinate so it’s both smooth and appropriate.
We also offer input to hospice staff, lead training, and contribute to organisational thinking around care that includes emotional and existential wellbeing.
Spiritual care can include
Talking about fears, loss, meaning, and change
Support with prayer, meditation, ritual, or reflection
Helping stay connected to beliefs or values
Noticing signs of spiritual distress and responding with care
Working with families, carers, or faith groups when needed
Specifically religious rites and support
Create space for honest conversations or just silence
Support patients in reconnecting with practices or beliefs that bring comfort
Work with other professionals to understand patients’ needs in a holistic way
Assist with legacy work, rituals, or end-of-life planning
Contribute to events and memorial services like Celebration of Life and Light Up A Life
We also offer input to hospice staff, lead training, and contribute to organisational thinking around care that includes emotional and existential wellbeing.
Research shows that attention to spiritual care makes a real difference to wellbeing especially when people are dealing with loss, uncertainty, or major transitions. It’s recognised by the World Health Organisation and the NHS as a core part of palliative care.