Foundations of Primary Healthcare Chaplaincy

This is a two-day course, running from 9:30am to 4:30pm on Thursday 25th September and Tuesday 30th September 2025.

This two-day training programme is for anyone who:

• Is interested in becoming a Primary Healthcare Chaplain
• Is already working in Primary Healthcare Chaplaincy and wishes to develop their understanding of the role and strengthen their skills

Aims and Objectives for the Course

On completion of this 6-session training programme, you will be able to:

• Articulate a clear understanding of the uniqueness of Primary Healthcare Chaplaincy
• Appreciate the guiding principles of health care and practical theology, and understand how these inform ethical practice
• Appropriately use a variety of skills and tools in your work as a Primary Healthcare Chaplain
• Benefit from the skills of reflective practice and have an understanding of self-care and your own wellbeing in the context of your work.

The course considers important presenting issues such as depression, grief and loss, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. It also explores assessment and evaluation, contracting with patients and shaping chaplaincy sessions, relating to referrers and other agencies, and professional development and supervision.

Feedback from previous participants:

‘An excellent course; well resourced, absorbing and motivating.’

‘I really enjoyed the course, I learned a lot and it gave me a clear focus on how to proceed.’

‘Thank you for the 2 day course it was so relevant; just what was needed to encourage and equip me to set up my local project.’

Dates

Day 1: Thursday 25th September 2025

Day 2: Tuesday 30th September 2025

9.30am to 4.30pm with three 2 hour training sessions per day, featuring:

• Teaching of foundational concepts and skills of Primary Healthcare Chaplaincy
• Opportunities for skill development in your breakout groups through application and participation in exercises
• Reflection and discussion
• Teaching on self-care

Cost

There are two price brackets for the two-day programme. Both include a comprehensive downloadable workbook.

• Self-funded - £150
• Organisation funded - £300

**Friends of ACGP are entitled to a 15% discount on the self-funded rate - please contact us directly at info@acgp.org.uk to register** (Visit our website for further details about our Friends of ACGP programme)

We aim to keep the costs of our training as low as possible as we recognise that many Primary Healthcare Chaplains work in a voluntary capacity. Therefore, we offer a significantly reduced rate to those funding themselves. We encourage self-funded individuals to approach their local faith organisations for support, as many of these may offer funding assistance.

As a charitable organisation, we rely on our supporters to enable us to continue with the work that we do. If you feel able to add a donation, however small, when booking your place we would be very grateful. As well as helping to cover our training development and delivery costs, this allows us to consider offering bursaries to those who would not otherwise be able to afford to join us. Please contact us directly at info@acgp.org.uk if the registration cost may be an issue for you.

Trainers

Sarah Giffen, Principal Primary Healthcare Chaplain in Glasgow

Helen Watts, Senior Chaplain for Wellbeing in Birmingham

This event is organised by the Association of Chaplaincy in General Practice.

Improving Care through Listening and Guidance

www.acgp.org.uk