The communities we engage with, or engage with us are varied. Some are institutional, some controlling, others are ones we create and then there are ones in which we are members, be these formal, family, social. Whichever, they form important parts of our lives. It could be argued that the more we are engaged with, the more interactive and rewarding, (or irritating) our lives are. I hear so often that successful life is based on self sufficiency and an individualistic attitude, which includes not being reliant on anything or anyone. I know this to be arrant nonsense. We are all dependent, who removes our refuse, how would one move around, if working who is managing the organisation, when sick, how is care provided, the list is significant.
I find our societal attitudes both fascinating and puzzling. My observation is that the individualistic attitude which has evolved over the last few decades has resulted in the defining of groups, such as infants, young, not quite so young, middle aged, older, elderly, being perceived as separate rather than distinct. It could be argued that this has affected the way in which groups interact or are interacted with. The effects are varied. Finding the tools to help with these effects make a considerable difference to lives.
Our chaplains are really good at identifying what is needed in most situations because they are looking at people in a complete way, which appears to be relatively rare even in a formal care environment. It is one of the reasons why Chaplaincy is being recognised as being an important contributor to the health, (in every way) of society. And about time. CWC continues to promote the benefits of Chaplaincy and after so many years being actively involved in promoting the benefits we are beginning to see some results.
I wish you all a wonderfully productive, happy and successful year.
Alastair Ure Reid
Chair
Cambridgeshire Workplace chaplaincy