Published on: 10/12/2025
The Parish Nursing Project at St Matthew’s Carver Street is benefiting from continued support thanks to new funding from the National Lottery.
The application, which was submitted in August of this year, was to help fund the position of Lead Parish Nurse in the project – a role held by Louise Smith. Louise, who started at St Matthew’s in October 2023, has a career in nursing spanning nearly 40 years, having worked as a Registered Nurse in a Coronary Care Unit and a Neonatal Unit. The application for £19,999 in funding has been approved this month.
The Parish Nursing Project provides the following support:
- Health advice and support in the Moor Market by running a drop-in service, offering health assessments and guidance on how to get help. This would include measurement of height, weight and blood pressure, health promotion, 1:1 or group discussions relating to health concerns and signposting to health services, websites and support groups.
- A drop-in service at St Matthew’s Church to provide sanctuary space for marginalised people in the community.
- An outreach service in the community offering, prayer or a listening ear for those who are marginalised, and where appropriate, we will offer spiritual support by signposting to services, resources and activities.
- Mental health support, offering time to discuss and assess mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety, grief and trauma, and will signpost to appropriate websites, health services, groups and resources
The project also brings together carers, babies and toddlers together in the ‘Little Prints’ group, which helps to form friendships and support. The recovery café brings together some of the most vulnerable people in Sheffield, they share a meal and take part in an art activity, the relaxed environment with a focused activity enables them to build confidence and trust and to form lasting friendships.
The maternity journaling club started in September and brings pregnant women together to journal their pregnancy experiences; it is hoped they will develop strong friendships and continue these as they transition into the carer and toddler group.
Louise Smith, Lead Parish Nurse, says:
‘We are beyond grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for their generous support of the Parish Nursing Project. Thanks to National Lottery players, incredible community projects like ours are able to grow, reach more people, and continue offering compassionate care and support to those who need it most.
‘We see every day the quiet struggles people face, and this support means we can be there listening, guiding, helping and walking alongside our community with dignity and hope.
‘Our aim is to continue to improve the health of mind, body and spirit of those in the community by offering a listening service, crisis support, sanctuary space, information and health education and signposting to appropriate services and support.’
