‘What a wonderful woman’ – Radio Somerset applauds Anna Chaplain

Wendy Haslam Anna Chaplaincy lead for the diocese of Bath and Wells

Anna Chaplaincy lead for Bath and Wells diocese, Wendy Haslam, has taken to the airwaves to promote Anna Chaplaincy’s approach to spiritual support for older people.

An Anna Chaplain herself, she clearly made an impression on presenter Charlie Taylor on Sunday morning (13 August). He even suggested she should have her own show – ‘What a wonderful woman’, he said!

Wendy, who was commissioned last year, described our ministry as ‘an added dimension to our care for older people.’

She said that typically Anna Chaplains ‘men as well as women,’ offer a day a week or two half days to visit people in their own homes or visit care homes, often leading a short simple service.

Wendy emphasised how part of what Anna Chaplains are trained to do is work with people in the ‘fourth stage of life’ and accompany them on ‘that last spiritual journey.’

She is leading training days as she builds a team in Somerset. Her aim is to have fifty, or even more, Anna Chaplains in the county. If you’re interested in joining her on the next training day in September, you're encouraged to get in touch with Wendy via the diocesan website.

To listen to the full interview, go to BBC Sounds, the Charlie Taylor show on BBC Radio Somerset, 13 August 2023. The interview is to be found 2 hours, 48 minutes into his Sunday morning show.

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