What does spiritual care mean, and how can we integrate it into our practice?
As health and social care professionals, we are expected to care for people in an holistic manner, addressing their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.
But what does spiritual care truly mean? Does the term worry you? Intrigue you? Prompt you to reflect on what it means to truly care for someone? Could you confidently explain spiritual care to a patient?
Join us for our half-day introduction, where we explore what spiritual care means both professionally and personally. We will examine a practical working definition and introduce techniques for integrating spiritual care into your everyday practice. The session will be thought-provoking, interactive, and a safe space to ask questions and share your thoughts.
Whatever your role you are welcome to join us!
Please see below for the Programme and Learning Aims.
Taking place on Thursday 16th of October 2025, 09.30-12.45.
Facilitators:
- Cara Heafey, Team Chaplain, Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust
- Kate Butcher, Education lead, OxCERPC
EARLY BIRD PRICE! 10% OFF until 4th September 2025
For staff working in Cancer Services this course has been mapped to ACCEND capabilities. Click here for further information
Location: In-person (Oxford)
CPD Credits: N/A
+ Venue
OxCERPC, Sobell House, Oxford, OX3 7LE
+ Speakers
Cara Heafey
Cara Heafey works as a team chaplain for Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and has been employed in this role since 2020. Within the team she has a particular interest in and responsibility for cancer care, palliative care, and staff wellbeing. Cara is an ordained Minister in the United Reformed Church. Prior to becoming a healthcare chaplain she worked as a Registered Nurse.
Kate Butcher - Education Lead at OxCERPC, Nurse Specialist
Kate is the Education Lead at OxCERPC and a nurse specialist within the hospice. She brings extensive experience in district nursing and community practice development, working with staff across care homes, primary care, and acute settings. In addition to facilitating learning across a wide range of palliative care topics, Kate has been delivering communication skills training for over 14 years at all levels of competence—foundation, intermediate, and advanced. Kate has an MSc in Clinical Leadership and a Post-graduate Certificate in Psychospiritual Care.
+ Course Programmes
09:15 - 09:30
Registration and Coffee.
09:30 - 09:50
Introductions.
09:50 - 10:20
Starting to unpick the concept.
10:20 - 11:00
What is spirituality? What is Spiritual Care? Why does it matter?
11:00 - 11:15
Coffee Break.
11:15 - 11:45
Unpicking the concept further. Self awareness.
11:45 - 12:30
Cultural differences. How to have these conversations. Referring on.
12:30 - 12:45
Evaluation.
+ Course Aims
By the end of the session participants will:
>Have a deeper awareness of the concept of spiritual care
>Begin to articulate the necessity of spiritual care as a part of person-centred care
>Have gained deeper self-awareness of spirituality
>Be aware of cultural differences
>Be able to start a conversation around the concept of spiritual care
