Faith & Spirituality Guide

Recent revisions to the Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (LYPFT) Faith and Spirituality Guide in consultation with our staff, faith volunteers and partner organisations aims to develop an inclusive tool which  considers the spiritual needs of all individuals as well as those that follow a specific belief or world faith.

The guide’s prologue provides a reflective observation into developing spiritual practice through recognising one’s own spiritual values and skills. This is further explored through understanding and addressing spiritual needs for people accessing Trust services, carers and staff.

In addition to the section on World Faiths which offers guidance and best practice on a number of world faiths, the chapter on Cultural & Community Awareness provides specific notes to Trust services on working effectively with Asylum Seekers and Refugees, The Deaf Community and Gypsy and Travelling Communities.  Continent and Country Profiles provide a summary context of both indigenous and migrant communities and areas for consideration by services.

The section Cultural Norms and Traditions provides a brief awareness of a number of considerations that should be given to e.g. naming systems, dietary needs, dress, festivals etc.

Essentially, the Guide serves to provide an awareness tool on the spiritual and cultural dimensions and needs of others, additionally providing staff with the skills and assessment criteria to base well-informed and appropriate spiritual support and care.

The full Guide can be found here; do let us know what you think and how this is helpful to your understanding or clinical practice.

Ruby Sagoo | Diversity & Inclusion Project Manager | LYPFT