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 offer no comfort, and for anyone who has a negative history with religions – such as religious abuse, shunning, or prejudice.

Non-religious pastoral support is based on:

✔ Empathy, active listening, and practical guidance
✔ Non-judgmental support, tailored to the individual
✔ A focus on personal meaning, dignity, and wellbeing

In short: if you need to talk, we’re here to listen.

Non-religious pastoral carers (sometimes called ‘humanist chaplains’) help patients, prisoners, and staff navigate life’s challenges, offering like-minded support to people who are non-religious, while also being there with inclusive support for anyone who needs it.

Why is non-religious pastoral care needed?

Northern Ireland is changing. According to the latest national statistics, over a quarter of people in Northern Ireland have no religion, and the number continues to rise. Yet many secular institutions, such as hospitals and prisons, still rely entirely on religious chaplaincy services, leaving many non-religious individuals without support that aligns with their worldview.

• In hospitals: patients facing serious illness or bereavement often need someone to talk to. Non-religious patients should not have to choose between faith-based chaplains and no support whatsoever if they need comfort, reassurance, or space to explore their emotions
• In prisons: people in prison often reflect on their past choices and consider how to move forward. Like-minded pastoral care should be available for all prisoners, not just those with religious beliefs
• For staff: healthcare and prison staff also deal with emotional strain. Many want access to pastoral support when facing burnout, grief, or difficult situations at work, but might feel that religious support isn’t right for them

How pastoral care is expanding in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Humanists is a part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. It supports the NRPSN to do its work in hospitals and prisons, and helps to provide pastoral support training, as well as lobbying MLAs to expand non-religious pastoral support across hospitals, prisons, and beyond.

Trained humanist pastoral carers are already active in hospitals and prisons in Northern Ireland, offering compassionate, non-religious support, including HM Prison Maghaberry.

We are working to make sure all major hospitals and prison services offer humanist pastoral care as a standard option, and we support the right of all patients and prisoners to choose the type of pastoral care that best suits their needs

How to access pastoral care

If you or a loved one need non-religious support in a hospital or prison, you have the right to ask for a humanist pastoral carer.

• In hospitals: ask the hospital staff if a humanist pastoral carer is available, or contact Northern Ireland Humanists for assistance
• In prisons: inmates can request access to a non-religious pastoral carer through prison staff
• For organisations: if you work in healthcare, prisons, or any setting where pastoral care is needed, we can help train and provide accredited humanist pastoral carers

Inclusive options for a changing society

Everyone deserves access to support that reflects their values. Humanist pastoral care ensures that non-religious people in Northern Ireland can receive compassionate, meaningful support—without religious assumptions.

Train as a non-religious pastoral carer

Our volunteers and paid members work in the NHS, HMPPS, and the armed forces. We have trained more than 300 pastoral carers, and currently have a presence in 9% of prisons and in 30% of NHS Trusts and growing. Will you join us in making pastoral care more inclusive and equal?

Upcoming training dates:

• Leicester (top-up course for NRPSN members seeking paid positions) – 15 and 16 March 2025
• London (induction course (Skills course)) – 17 and 18 May 2025
• Leicester (top-up course for NRPSN members seeking paid positions) – 5 and 6 July 2025
• Coventry (induction course (Skills course)) – 19 and 20 July 2025
• Northern Ireland (induction course (Skills course)) – 4 and 5 October 2025

Please read the attached Application Pack, and then complete this online application to register your interest. The application deadline is six weeks before your chosen course, and interviews will be completed shortly after your application is received. If you have any questions please reach out to Clare Elcombe Webber, Director of Humanist Care at clare@humanists.uk.