During the afternoon, the Rev Dr Coleen Jackson, who pioneered this ministry on the mainland, reflected on the story of Anna Chaplaincy so far. It was originally launched by Debbie Thrower, who pioneered the work with the mission agency BRF and became its first Anna Chaplain in Alton back in 2010.

Since 2020 Anna Chaplaincy has become an embedded ministry across our diocese, with more people considering this as a possible vocation in 2025.

The gathering heard from Emma Sneddon, who is the Anna Chaplaincy co-ordinator for our diocese, and heard an update and encouragement from Debbie Ducille, who is the older persons ministry lead for BRF Ministries.

The day was entitled ‘Changing the Narrative of Ageing’, so the gathering looked at how to provide a positive picture of ageing in our churches and communities.

Among the topics we tackled was how to advocate on behalf of older people to secure justice; how to help people to prepare for older age; the physical, cognitive and environmental changes people face; and the value of working in community, especially across the generations. They heard from speakers from the Rowans Hospice and from the Admiral nursing team at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, and about opportunities to grow relationships with those agencies.

Three people shared the same theme in their content – without knowing others would do the same. It was an encouraging sign that older people are on God's heart and Anna Chaplains are his co-labourers in this.