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Spiritual Care Week

Throughout Spiritual Care Week, and every day in a myriad of ways, Uniting AgeWell chaplains make a profound and positive impact on the lives of our residents, staff and our broader community.

At Uniting AgeWell, we believe spirituality is a dynamic and intrinsic aspect of humanity through which we seek ultimate meaning, and experience relationship to self, family, others, and the significant or sacred. Spirituality may be expressed through beliefs, values, traditions and practices - including, but not exclusive to religion.

We offer care that respects personal choice and individual expressions of spirituality, and encourages connectedness and community. A variety of opportunities are provided to encourage the finding of meaning, purpose, connectedness, hope, and to transcend loss.

Our Spirituality Framework is the foundation for how Uniting AgeWell understands spirituality, and spiritual, secular, and religious care across all levels of the organisation.

At the heart of Uniting AgeWell's Spirituality Framework is a very intentional focus to put spiritual needs on equal footing with physical, mental and social needs.

The Framework intersects with principles and commitments shared by Uniting AgeWell and the Uniting Church in Australia.

It highlights Uniting AgeWell’s commitment to supporting the people it serves to understand their life and find purpose in it, in a way that takes into account any limitations they may live with; and our commitment to courageous conversations with the hard topics of ageing, suffering and dying.

Read the Spirituality Framework
Multi-Faith Room at Uniting AgeWell Andrew Kerr Care Community

Victor Pitman-Jones

It’s pretty easy to spot the new chaplain at Uniting AgeWell’s Kalkee Communities of Murray and Nangatta. Vic is the one in the loud colourful shirt with the chrome dome, a pierced ear, two tattoos and huge smile.

“I like cheerful shirts,” he explains. “It gives people something to smile about.”

One of his fans is resident Margaret who says of the chaplain, "He gets us, he totally understands us. He’s great!”

“I love the values of Uniting AgeWell,” Vic says. “I love the inclusiveness, the ethos and kindness that I see in the organisation.” To this end he feels privileged to minister to all in an organisation that puts all faiths and religions on an equal footing.

Read his story

Vic pitman jones small

Marianne Pauls

Marianne Pauls quit her job in the photography business in Sydney to do pastoral care – and now she’s back to her roots in Hobart and is a Chaplain at Uniting AgeWell.

She returned to Tasmania to be closer to her family, first working as a Chaplain at the Rosetta Communities of Strathaven and Strathglen, before recently moving to Uniting AgeWell Newnham Community Aldersgate Village.

Marianne says it’s a privilege to walk with older people on their life journey. “I want them to feel that life has meaning, that their life has been worthwhile, and that they are special and loved.”

Read her story

Panel image finding her joy