Leeds: Growing Old Gracefully

Growing Old Gracefully is a small charity based in the Diocese of Leeds whose aim is to support older people in their later years especially in connection with their spirituality needs, whilst not ignoring practical needs. They are inspired by the psalm 'They shall bear fruit in old age. They shall be fresh and flourishing' Psalm 92 v 12-15

Growing Old Gracefully began 10 years ago and has built up a network of contacts throughout that time. Over those years they have organised Information Days and Reflection times on a range of issues including Support for Carers and Bereavement and Loss. They produced a comprehensive 88 page pack for parishes entitled 'Welcoming Older People - ideas for and from parishes' with lots of practical advice on working with older people based on the experience of parishes in the Leeds diocese.

This year things started well with funding secured from the diocese and some religious orders. They were able to employ a freelance coordinator to carry out their plans.

They were organising an ecumenical conference called 'A Matter of Life and Death' in March to share information about the conversations we need to be having in our communities about Death and Dying. They were also about to pilot a Lay Chaplaincy for older people with funding from The Grail.

However, like all of us they had to rethink their work in the light of Covid 19 especially with the knowledge that being isolated and lonely can be just as damaging to our health as physical threats such as the Coronavirus.

From the middle of March when the lockdown was announced they have made sure that there were reflections, prayers and links to online services on the website. Some thoughtful reflections were provided by Pippa Bonner, a trustee of Growing old gracefully, working in pastoral care.

They also contacted members of the Growing Old Gracefully network through an e-newsletter which included the key phone number for all local authorities in the Diocese if anyone needed help, as well as including resources for prayer.

Rhoda Wu, who does freelance work for the project said 'we were very aware that some people aren't connected to us by email so we compiled a short uplifting booklet and this has just been posted out to around 200 contacts. Although it may now be a minority of older people who aren't IT skilled we didn't want them to miss out on some of the inspiring prayers and meditations available'. The resource is also available electronically (in an easy to print off format) and will be shared to all SVP conferences , the Diocesan Dementia Friendly Working group and as many parishes as possible especially those who are sending out e-newsletters.

For more information see: www.growingoldgracefully.org.uk/

or email Rhoda Wu at growingoldgracefully@dioceseofleeds.org.uk