The Parish Nursing Project at St Matthew’s Carver Street has seen a 68% increase in mental health interventions, as the hard work of the team there continues to make a big impact in Sheffield.
The December 2024 update report has been released, which includes the addition of two new members to the team – chaplain Father Parker and volunteer nurse and midwife Catherine Dodd.
The report has issued the following highlights:
“Due to the expansion of our team and increased inter-agency work the project is now seeing record numbers of clients both through our presence on the Parish Nursing stall, located in the Moor Market, our outreach on the streets, and additional initiatives such as the wellbeing café held at the Arthouse.
“Our biggest areas of need continue to be those of reducing social isolation, health promotion and mental health support. In the last quarter alone, our service has seen 362 clients, including 213 new clients, 303 of whom are not regular worshippers at any church.
“The work of this last quarter was empowered by the generous contribution of 88.5 volunteer nurse hours, 575 employed nurse hours, plus 197 hours from other volunteers and staff.
It has been really wonderful to see the impact that Father Parker has had on the number of spiritual interventions that we have been able to provide.”
The number of interactions on the Moor Market stall has increased due to the expansion of the team enabling extended opening hours. Another form of outreach that has evolved has been the “well being café” in conjunction with Sheffield Art House and the Anderson-Green Project. The well being café provides a Friday night café and art class with a homemade, free hot meal, art, and peer support for those recovering from addictions. It is led by those with Lived Experience and supported by South Yorkshire Housing Association.
Looking ahead to 2025, there are plans to develop the café and Catherine is working on establishing a Dementia Musical Memories group within church. The team are also working with St Matthew’s new children and families worker, Minerva, to provide health input to the toddler and carer’s group which she is launching.
Lead Parish Nurse Michaela Suckling is stepping down from her role to focus on her family, saying:
“This decision was not an easy one. It is almost 2 years since Rupert’s cancer diagnosis and it is now time to prioritise my time with him and daughter, Tilly. My time in the role has been incredibly rewarding. I am deeply grateful for the support, guidance, and opportunities I have received. The encouragement from you all has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I will carry those experiences forward to whatever the future holds. I will continue to hold the project in my heart and prayers into the future.”
Father Grant Naylor, Vicar of St Matthew’s Carver Street, said:
“Michaela has established the Parish Nursing project and managed it tremendously for the last five years. She has done so alongside her family commitments, and her responsibilities in the wider Church of England as a Member of the General Synod and a trustee of the Guild of All Souls. Michaela is a woman of immense quality and skill. She has built up the project from nothing, and has created a lasting legacy for the parish and the city. Countless people have been helped by her and she has been the most wonderful colleague. Her work is highly valued by people of faith and none alike and she was honoured and acknowledged for her work by the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire last year. We assure her and Rupert and the family of our love, prayers and continued support.
“I am delighted that Louise (Smith) has accepted the post of Lead Parish Nurse at St Matthew’s. Louise has worked with the team for sometime now and has already given so much to the project. She has a wealth of experience to bring to this post and I very much look forward to working with her more closely.”
How to Make a Donation
The account details for the Parish Nursing Project are as follows:
Name: St Matthews PCC
Account Number: 03996810
Sort Code: 30-97-51
REF: Nurse (to ensure your donation is allocated to the correct fund)
You can read the full December 2024 report here: PNreportDec24Annual (1).pdf
Parish Nurses are Registered Nurses who undertake a certificate in Parish Nursing and are employed or appointed as a volunteer by a church or Christian organisation to lead a health ministry. Parish Nurses analyse local health needs and then focus on improving, maintaining and regaining health through education, advice, advocacy and referral.
Parish nurses work with people of all ages and backgrounds, those of any faith, or none. They are bound by the NMC Code of Conduct and will not pressurise anyone to change their religion or be involved with the church.
Parish Nurses receive independent supervision and support from Parish Nursing Ministries UK and their associated governance group. To find out more about the Parish Nursing Project, visit: Parish Nursing Project – St Matthew’s Carver Street