Living the Values: How Humanism Shapes Pastoral Practice

What does it mean to bring humanist values into the room when we're sitting with someone in distress? This session explores how humanism and its underlying existential philosophies shape the way we listen, make decisions, and offer pastoral care. This online session will move between principle and practice, and is aimed particularly at practitioners earlier in their journey, but is also open to chaplains of any tradition curious about humanist pastoral practice.

Harry Austin Barrat shall be leading the session; a Humanist Chaplain at Dougie Mac Hospice, where he provides compassionate, non-religious pastoral care at end of life. Originally trained as a soil biochemist (PhD, Rothamsted Research), Harry brings a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to his work in chaplaincy. He has experience supporting people in healthcare and custodial settings, including roles at Royal Brompton Hospital and HM Prison Service. He is an experienced trainer with the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network (NRPSN), where he has served as a lead trainer and now contributes as a sector coordinator for the military. Alongside his practice, Harry is completing a Master’s in Humanist and Existential Pastoral Care at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, and is passionate about exploring how humanist values shape meaningful, person-centred support.

Open to NRPSN members and the public alike, we welcome anyone interested in learning more.