What is spiritual care?
Spiritual care is about caring for the whole person – body, mind and spirit. It recognises that everyone has their own sources of meaning, hope, comfort and strength.
For some people, this may come from religious faith or spiritual beliefs. For others, it may be found through family and friends, nature, music, art, hobbies or the things that matter most to them.
Living with a life-limiting illness, or supporting someone who is, can bring difficult questions, emotions and uncertainties. Spiritual care offers a space to explore these feelings, find comfort and reflect on what matters most.
You do not need to have a religious faith to receive spiritual care.
Who provides spiritual care at St Margaret’s?
Spiritual care is part of the support offered by all our clinical teams, whether someone is receiving care at home, in our Sunflower Centres or on our In-Patient Unit.
Our dedicated Spiritual Care Support Team works alongside our doctors, nurses and therapists to offer additional support to patients and those close to them.
Spiritual care for people of all faiths and beliefs
We aim to support people of all religious faiths, spiritual beliefs and those with no religious beliefs.
Our Spiritual Care Support Team can offer support directly or help people connect with leaders and members of their own faith or spiritual communities.
With the agreement of patients or their families, faith leaders are welcome to visit people receiving care on our In-Patient Unit.
Prayer, Holy Communion and other Christian sacraments are available for those who wish to receive them. Special services, including blessings, baptisms and confirmations, can also be arranged.
For more information about specific religious or spiritual support, please speak to a member of our team.
Our Sanctuaries
Our Taunton and Yeovil hospices each have a Sanctuary – a peaceful, welcoming space where patients, families, staff and volunteers can spend time in quiet reflection.
These spaces are open to everyone, regardless of faith or belief, and offer somewhere to pause, reflect, pray or simply be still.
Multi-faith symbols are discreetly available for those who wish to use them for prayer or worship.
Love Hearts – symbols of connection
At difficult or uncertain times, small reminders of love and connection can offer comfort, particularly when people cannot be together.
At St Margaret’s, we offer pairs of soft, knitted Love Hearts, lovingly made by our volunteers and staff. One heart can be kept by a patient and the other by someone close to them, creating a tangible reminder of their shared love and affection.
The hearts can be held, cuddled or kept close and may also accompany someone who has died.
Our Love Hearts are available free of charge. Although we cannot make them to order, if a particular colour has special meaning to you, we will do our best to match your request with the hearts we have available.
Love Hearts Order
Donate Now
There is no charge for our Love Hearts. However, if you would like to support the care we provide, you are welcome to make a donation.
Light up a Life
We usually host a gathering in Taunton and Yeovil, as well as providing an online video for those who cannot attend in person.
Spiritual care for staff and volunteers
Our Spiritual Care Support Team is also available to support staff and volunteers across St Margaret’s.
If you would like to speak to someone or find out more about the support available, please contact our Spiritual Care Team.
Spiritual Care Resources
Get in touch
If you would like to find out more about spiritual care at St Margaret’s, please speak to a member of your care team or contact us.
Taunton: 01823 333822
Yeovil: 01935 709480