The Parish Nursing work at Shoeburyness & Thorpe Bay Baptist Church (STBBC) aims to improve wellbeing by supporting the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of individuals. Help is available to people of all ages, backgrounds and faiths, and the majority of users are people who do not attend our church.

A Parish Nurse works alongside a team of about 30 other volunteers to run a variety of regular activities open to anyone. Support is offered to those living with dementia and their carers through regular afternoon teas, a weekly Singing for the Brain group, and monthly carers wellbeing sessions. To help those struggling with their mental health, there is a dealing with depression course and a weekly wellbeing café where “it’s ok not to be ok”.

The Parish Nursing team also works with seniors in the local area to help reduce loneliness and social isolation. Saturday Club offers weekly company and entertainment is appreciated by many, and for some it is their only social interaction each week. A befriending service, and “Holiday at Home” is also available – a day over the summer where the church is transformed into a holiday destination for those no longer able to get away.

Speaking of the funding from Community Investment board, “We’re so grateful for the grant we received from the Community Investment Fund which enables us to provide the activities and support to people in the community who need them.”