Background

• Historically single faith–based service which hadn’t purposely developed to reflect the changing beliefs of our community.

• Historically underserved communities.

• Need to refocus and develop the holistic wellbeing offer at Dougie Mac (DMH), of which the Spiritual, Pastoral And Religious Care Service (SPARCS) is a part.

• Elements of our all–age hospice under–resourced regards SPARCS.

Aims

• Broaden and increase the provision of SPARCS to better reflect our served community.

• Equality of care regardless of the location of service user (e.g. Hospice IPU/own residence/Wellbeing Centre/Community Hub).

• Foster interdisciplinary working across the hospice.

• Better staff and volunteer knowledge, skills and confidence.

Methods

• Composition of five–year strategic plan.

• Workstreams from strategy.

• Formation of Multi–disciplinary Steering Group.

• Development of guidelines for spiritual, pastoral and religious care.

• Composition and delivery of staff requested education syllabus.

• Provision of SPARCS to historically underserved communities. For example, those affected by dementia, children and young adults, minority groups.

• Increased support for staff and volunteers.

• Publicity and information appropriate to our community.

• Spiritual assessment tool to establish a base–line level of SPARC.

• Ongoing consultation with staff, volunteers and service users.

• Regular audit.

• Education and training for our community partners.

Results

• Focus and direction for SPARC provision.

• Increase in service user numbers.

• Raised confidence among colleagues in recognizing and addressing spiritual, pastoral and religious needs.

• Employment of SPARCS community practitioner.

• Increased working relationship with community partners, local belief and community groups.

• Reinvigoration of SPARCS community volunteer network.

Conclusion

• Continued support and engagement across the hospice for SPARCS.

• First strategy completed with second (2024–2029) now being implemented.

• ‘Thank you for all the support you had for Mum in the last 18 months…which was unique and person centered’ (patient relative).

• ‘I have completed Tier 1 and 2 SPARCS training … I feel supported in my role by the team and know I can approach them with any queries.’ (staff member).