Faith groups—a solution to wrap around healthcare » FaithAction [ ![FaithAction logo](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/themes/faithaction-child/img/fa-logo-new-2.png) ](https://www.faithaction.net/) Faith—too significant to ignore! # Faith groups—a solution to wrap around healthcare Posted on [June 19, 2024](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/policy-and-government/2024/06/19/faith-groups-a-solution-to-wrap-around-healthcare/ "11:12 am") in category [Health and Care](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/health-and-care/), [Policy and Government](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/policy-and-government/) by [David Simmons](https://www.faithaction.net/author/david-simmons/ "View all posts by David Simmons") ![](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Helping-Hans-700x300.jpeg) Several themes have come out of **[last week’s survey on health and social care.](https://www.faithaction.net/what-matters-to-you/)** A predominant one is the way in which the NHS can be helped by local faith providers coming alongside people to help them live healthy lives, and help them to navigate the often confusing system (see case study, below). One thing is clear: faith groups are uniquely placed to provide wrap-around services at a time when the NHS is at its most stretched. ## **Case study** Shobna\* is an older widow, and her family don’t live nearby. Because she is undiagnosed dyslexic, she used to rely on her husband to read GP letters and prescriptions. Through regular visits from a local faith volunteer, she is now able to understand how to live with her long-term health conditions, and to understand diagnoses, prescriptions and treatment plans. She also feels more connected to her community as a result. \* Not her real name ![](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/0nkfvdcm-x4-800x600.jpg) [ Take this week's survey on the cost of living now! ](https://form.jotform.com/241614419920353) [**Missed one? Don’t worry, you can answer all of our surveys here!**](https://www.faithaction.net/what-matters-to-you/) ## What matters in health and social care? We have now launched three brief surveys as part of our run-up to the General Election 2024 ([**What Matters To You?**](https://www.faithaction.net/what-matters-to-you/)) There will be time to respond to all surveys as they are launched – one a week – and we will keep the polls open beyond July 4th. So if you haven’t responded to either poll, you may do so [**HERE.**](https://www.faithaction.net/what-matters-to-you/) **So, what matters?** We asked people to name their three top priority policy areas for health and social care. The themes were all quite evenly distributed, but the most popular was Primary Care, followed by Waiting Times and Backlog, and Prevention with Improved Public Health Communication. ![](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Health-Social-Care-768x609.png) ## Free responses A few people spoke about the way in which faith groups can access the hard-to-reach. A number mentioned social prescribing, and some spoke about the importance of funding faith organisations to educate people around the issue of healthy lifestyles. Chaplaincy was also mentioned more than once – to have a compassionate listening ear when patients are facing life-changing situations. Strong interpersonal relationships can help in many cases, particularly if someone is at risk of self-harm. Several also spoke of the value of delivering **[Creative English for Health](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/creative-english-health/)** in their community. > There has long been a tradition of volunteering in hospitals, to visit patients, for example. We should extend the chaplaincy function of hospitals. > Through constructive engagement, increase awareness of what the faith sector can offer in terms of activities and support where people can be referred through social prescribing. > A ‘Know your health’ campaign get schools, colleges and workplaces to get everyone to know their health numbers and what they need to do to improve. > Currently it seems that GPs & nurses only have time to treat symptoms; faith group teams can treat people in their wider context. > Creative English has been a very successful way of helping people in my community look after their health. > There are still a lot of taboos around getting support for mental health in my community which must be addressed. People talking about their experiences openly is a good first step. [ Take this week's survey on the cost of living now! ](https://form.jotform.com/241614419920353) [**Missed one? Don’t worry, you can answer all of our surveys here!**](https://www.faithaction.net/what-matters-to-you/) ###### Join the Conversation [ X-twitter ](https://www.x.com/FaithActionnet) [ ](https://bsky.app/profile/faithaction.net) [ Facebook-f ](https://www.facebook.com/FaithAction/) [ Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/faithactionnet/) [ Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/faithaction/) ###### Become a Member now! Get the latest news and invites to upcoming events straight to your inbox. [Sign up!](/membership/) ###### [Latest from the Blog](/blog/) [ ![](https://www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Faith-Covenant-Guidance-Launch-700x300.jpg)## Launching the Faith Covenant Guidebook by FaithAction As we come to the end of Faith in Partnership Week 2026, we are delighted to announce the launch of the new Faith Covenant Guidebook! This is your first port of call for key information on the Faith Covenant initiative – what it is, why \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/faith-in-partnership/2026/09/11/launching-the-faith-covenant-guidebook/ "Launching the Faith Covenant Guidebook") ###### [Latest News](/news/) [## Join Footsteps and West Midlands Combined Authority as they launch their Sacred Spaces, Resilient Places report The charity Footsteps, in partnership with West Midlands Combined Authority and students from Birmingham City University’s architecture and design department, have produced a report on climate adaptation and community resilience at Places of Worship in the West Midlands, and will be launching their new report \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/general/2026/10/02/join-footsteps-and-west-midlands-combined-authority-as-they-launch-their-sacred-spaces-resilient-places-report/ "Join Footsteps and West Midlands Combined Authority as they launch their Sacred Spaces, Resilient Places report") [## Change is here to stay! It has not been an easy time for the faith and community sector, particular for those who are striving to serve their local communities, as is the case for our network members. The FaithAction team has always sought to be close to the ground, not \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/general/2026/10/02/change-is-here-to-stay/ "Change is here to stay!") [## Martha’s Rule rolled out at every A&E department in England The NHS has committed to expanding Martha’s Rule to A&E departments, meaning that patients or family members can demand a review of a patient’s care if a patient is deteriorating and they are concerned this is not being taken on board. Named for Martha Mills, \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/health/2026/09/25/marthas-rule-rolled-out-at-every-ae-department-in-england/ "Martha’s Rule rolled out at every A&E department in England") [## Housing Justice Annual Conference 2026 Join faith and community providers to reflect, share sector updates and develop best practice together. The Annual Housing Justice Conference is a day dedicated to Faith and Community projects across the homelessness sector coming together to learn and connect. The conference will have sessions on \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/general/2026/09/04/housing-justice-annual-conference-2026/ "Housing Justice Annual Conference 2026") [## Get involved with Healthwatch England’s survey on hospital discharge experiences When it came time to leave the hospital, was the right support in place? Could you leave when you were meant to? Or did you have to stay in the hospital for longer than was necessary? Healthwatch England wants to learn more about your experience \[…\] ](https://www.faithaction.net/news/health/2026/09/04/get-involved-with-healthwatch-englands-survey-on-hospital-discharge-experiences/ "Get involved with Healthwatch England’s survey on hospital discharge experiences") ###### Friendly Places ![](//www.faithaction.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Friendly-Places.jpg)"I believe that there is a significant and positive role for faith communities to play in the support of mental health." "I pledge to support faith groups in my community to become Friendly Places which welcome and support those struggling with their mental health." [Find Out More!](//www.faithaction.net/friendlyplaces/) [ FAITHACTION ](https://www.faithaction.net) - Search - [About Us](https://www.faithaction.net/about/) - [Meet the Team](https://www.faithaction.net/about/team/) - [Our Advisory Group](https://www.faithaction.net/about/advisory-group/) - [Testimonials](https://www.faithaction.net/about/testimonials/) - [Campaigns](https://www.faithaction.net/campaigns/) - [Survey: Taking the Temperature](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRQL5ZC) - [The Faith Covenant](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/appg-on-faith-and-society/covenant/) - [\#FaithinPartnership](https://partnership.faithaction.net/) - [Building Back Better: The Role of Faith](https://www.faithaction.net/building-back-better/) - [Friendly Places: Mental Health](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/health-and-care/our-projects/friendly-places/) - [Previous Campaigns](https://www.faithaction.net/campaigns/previous/) - [News](https://www.faithaction.net/news/) - [General](https://www.faithaction.net/news/general/) - [Resources](https://www.faithaction.net/news/resources/) - [Health and Care](https://www.faithaction.net/news/health/) - [Funding and Grants](https://www.faithaction.net/news/funding/ "Only available to Gold members") - [Blogs](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/) - [Belonging](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/belonging/) - [Community](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/community/) - [Health and Care](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/health-and-care/) - [Language](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/language/) - [Mental Health](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/mental-health/) - [Policy and Government](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/policy-and-government/) - [Work](https://www.faithaction.net/blog/work/) - [Events](https://www.faithaction.net/events/) - [Join the Coffee House](https://www.faithaction.net/coffeehouse/) - [Masterclasses](https://www.faithaction.net/events/masterclasses/) - [Working With You](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/) - [ Membership](https://www.faithaction.net/membership/) - [North East London VCFSE Collaborative](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/north-east-london-vcfse-collaborative/) - [Faith for a Safe Start: Maternal Health](https://safestart.faithaction.net/) - [Talking faith in suicide prevention](https://suicideprevention.faithaction.net/) - [\#FaithinPartnership](https://www.faithaction.net/?page_id=35199) - [VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/hwa/) - [The Health and Wellbeing Collective (HaWC)](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/hawc/) - [Health and Care](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/health-and-care/) - [Language – Creative English](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/language/) - [Creative English for Health](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/creative-english-health/) - [APPG on Faith and Society and the Faith Covenant](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/appg-on-faith-and-society/) - [Café Connect](https://cafeconnect.faithaction.net/) - [Tower Hamlets Faith Health Action Partnership](https://fhap.faithaction.net/) - [Reports](#) - [Faith Groups and the NHS: First In, Last Out](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/first-in-last-out/) - [Tackling Loneliness](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/tackling-loneliness/) - [Faith and Dementia](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/faith-and-dementia/) - [What is Community?](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/what-is-community/) - [Previous Projects](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/previous-projects/) - [Together in Service](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/previous-projects/together-in-service/) - [Creative English Innovation Fund](https://www.faithaction.net/working-with-you/previous-projects/creative-english-innovation-fund/) - [Resources](https://www.faithaction.net/our-resources/) - [Products](https://www.faithaction.net/products/) - [Books](https://www.faithaction.net/products/books/) - [Creative English](https://www.faithaction.net/products/creative-english/) - [Masterclasses](https://www.faithaction.net/products/masterclasses/) - [Vacancies](https://www.faithaction.net/vacancies/) - [Contact Us](https://www.faithaction.net/contact/) - [](https://www.faithaction.net/membership/) - [Login](https://www.faithaction.net/login/) - [Register](https://www.faithaction.net/membership/) - [Login](https://www.faithaction.net/login/) - [Register](https://www.faithaction.net/membership/)