A decade of inclusive care: Humanists UK celebrates 10 years of non-religious pastoral support in the NHS

Figures from across the healthcare sector and Humanists UK gathered at Leicester General Hospital last week to mark World Humanist Day and celebrate a historic milestone: ten years since the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) became the first NHS organisation in the UK to appoint a non-religious pastoral carer to a paid role.

The milestone conference, hosted by the Chaplaincy Team at UHL and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT), brought together chaplains, pastoral carers, professional bodies, and national partners to reflect on a decade of progress and look ahead to the future of inclusive healthcare.

Among those in attendance to mark the anniversary were Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson OBE, Director of Community Services Clare Elcombe Webber, and Lindsay de Wal – currently both the Head of Pastoral Care at Humanists UK and the Director for Humanist Existential Care with the European Humanist Services Network, and who herself made history in 2018 as the first humanist appointed to lead an NHS chaplaincy and pastoral care team. They were joined by guest of honour Jane Flint, whose groundbreaking appointment in January 2016 as the country’s first paid non-religious pastoral carer in the NHS paved the way for inclusive care nationwide. Messages of support were received from the Council of Professional Chaplains & Pastoral Carers and the College of Health Care Chaplains, in recognition of the crucial role UHL and Jane played in developing a more inclusive sector. 

A watershed moment for patient choice

Before 2016, pastoral care in hospitals was predominantly a service provided for religious patients and their families, by religious chaplains. Jane Flint’s historic appointment at UHL was an early milestone in the transformation of healthcare chaplaincy to become more inclusive and more reflective of the beliefs of our society.

Providing high-quality, one-to-one emotional and existential support, Jane demonstrated the profound impact of like-minded care for the growing number of non-religious people navigating terminal diagnoses, bereavement, or the everyday stresses of hospital life.

Reflecting on the early journey during a panel discussion, Jane Flint and Lindsay de Wal shared their experiences of shaping non-religious chaplaincy and establishing the conditions for it to thrive as part of a fully integrated, multi-faith and belief service.

Ten years of exponential growth

The pioneering model established by Leicester a decade ago has since influenced national practice. Today, through Humanists UK’s support of the Non-Religious Pastoral Support Network (NRPSN), accredited non-religious pastoral carers are present in more than a third of NHS Trusts across England and Wales, as well as in prisons, universities, and the UK Armed Forces. This systemic shift was further solidified by NHS England guidelines mandating equal access to religious and non-religious pastoral care.

To mark UHL’s enduring commitment as a strategic partner in this expansion, Andrew Copson presented an award to UHL Chief Executive Richard Mitchell, recognising the Trust’s outstanding contribution to advancing inclusive pastoral care.

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented:

‘Ten years ago, Leicester Hospitals blazed an incredible trail for inclusive healthcare. By recognising that non-religious patients deserve the same compassionate, like-minded support as anyone else, they set a new standard for the entire NHS.

‘Jane Flint’s appointment was a watershed moment. Seeing how non-religious pastoral care has matured over the last decade, now embedded in hospitals, prisons, and even our Armed Forces, is a testament to the courage and vision of those who laid the foundations here in Leicester. We are profoundly grateful to partner with UHL as they continue to lead the way in national training and expansion.’

Kartar Singh Bring, Head of Chaplaincy at UHL and LPT, added:

‘This was an important moment to recognise Leicester’s pioneering role in the development of non-religious chaplaincy within the NHS. Jane Flint’s appointment 10 years ago was nationally significant, but it was also part of a wider commitment at UHL to provide inclusive, compassionate, and professional support to patients, families and colleagues of all faiths, beliefs and none. We are proud of the journey so far, and we are committed to continuing this work so that chaplaincy reflects and serves the diverse communities who depend on our care.’