“When I visit a care home and see 10-20 people sitting in a room … what do I see? Certainly I see frail, vulnerable and elderly men and women, but I also see people who have endured a great deal, who have created much, who have loved and been loved. People whose lives have created the society in which I live, and for which I am grateful. These are the people who have maintained the fabric of this world, and perhaps for most of them, their daily work has been their prayer.
And what do I wish for these men and women?
My wish is that they can live their final days with a sense of dignity and honour, that they can find some form of meaningful relationship with others and with their own inner being.
My wish is that they may discover and maintain an inner peace and a sense of wonder, and that those who care for them engage with them in such a way that lives are transformed and that even the simplest and most mundane task can be, using religious language, “sacramental” although they do not need the religious language.
Spirituality is as relevant for the non-religious as it is for the religious because it is about the fundamental meaning of being human."
Drawing on his considerable skills of persuasion and determination Malcolm drew together a small group to form Faith in Older People. He recognised and appreciated the gifts and experience of old age, but also understood the losses that occur and how easy it is for congregations to lose sight of older members when they are no longer able to participate.
His vision, patience and inspiration has helped to establish what is still a young organisation, but one which is growing in influence by providing innovative methods of encouraging and supporting people to value the importance of spiritual lives of older people in their care; both in a practical way with other congregations and into the wider sphere of health and social care.
Our small team is committed to the work to make sure that the vision of our Founder, Malcolm Goldsmith, is made a reality. For many older people the end of their lives is spent in a ‘strange land’ be it as a result of dementia or the need for care away from familiar surroundings, so the challenge to FiOP is to “help people discover how to live their lives with creativity and hope”.
Our definition of spiritual care is “what gives meaning and purpose to everyday lives” and lifts the spirit. Malcolm strongly believed that FiOP should be involved with those of faith and those with none and that the work should be open and embracing.
We work primarily with those who provide care, whether paid or unpaid, be they health or social care staff, hospital chaplains, volunteers or clergy.
To do this we offer a range of courses; hold conferences highlighting ideas and new work; organise debates and lectures to challenge thinking; provide mentoring and support and develop ways of worshipping with people who have dementia. We hope you will continue to support FiOP in memory of Malcolm.
