Growing demand for non-religious pastoral care in Northern Ireland
When facing illness, bereavement, or difficult life situations, many people in hospital or prison turn to chaplaincy and pastoral care services for emotional support. But for the growing number of non-religious people in Northern Ireland, traditional chaplaincy services – typically rooted in religious traditions and provided by religious clerics – may not reflect their beliefs or provide the support they truly need. That’s where the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network (NRPSN) comes in. In Northern Ireland, as across the UK, NRPSN provides trained, accredited, and inclusive pastoral carers who offer non-religious emotional and moral support in hospitals, prisons, and other institutions. Whether it’s a patient navigating serious illness, a prisoner reflecting on their future, or a family coping with grief, NRPSN pastoral carers provide a listening ear, understanding, and guidance—rooted in empathy, not religion. What is pastoral care? Unlike religious chaplaincy, non-religious pastoral care is right for someone who prefers a non-religious approach to emotional and existential support. This is especially true for non-religious people, for whom religious consolations of the afterlife or spiritual beliefs may …
