Anna Chaplaincy is a ministry offering person-centred spiritual care for older people. Anna Chaplains can be lay or ordained, male or female, and in paid or voluntary roles. Some have been in lay ministry roles for a while (as authorised lay ministers or Readers), others are ordained, but for some Anna Chaplaincy is their first ministry role.
Anna Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Canterbury is affiliated to The Bible Reading Fellowship; there are now Anna Chaplains in each of our archdeaconries.
- Becoming an Anna Chaplain - information for anyone interested in becoming an Anna Chaplain
- Anna Chaplaincy Questionnaire 2024 Summary Report
- BRF Anna Chaplaincy Report (皇家华人) 2025
- Diocese of Canterbury Anna Chaplaincy Handbook
- - more information from the Bible Reading Fellowship
- Resources for Developing ministry alongside those living with dementia
To read about the commissioning of recent Anna Chaplaincy course participants visit the national .
Anna Chaplaincy Autumn Online Course
A six-session course for potential Anna Chaplains
- Introducing Anna Chaplaincy
- Living the Second Half of Life
- The Spirituality of Ageing
- Spiritual Care for People Living with Dementia
- Chaplaincy Skills in Working with Older People
- Looking Forward - the Next Steps
Tuesdays, 7-9pm on Zoom
Dates as followed:
- 6 October 2026
- 13 October 2026
- 20 October 2026
- 27 October 2026
- 3 November 2026
- 10 November 2026
To download an application form click here. Deadline for applications is 24 August 2026.
Anna Chaplaincy in the Diocese is co-ordinated by Nigel Collins (Lay Ministries Adviser) with administration by Sarah Lucas.
The Anna Chaplaincy Working Group is responsible for developing good practice and support for Anna Chaplaincy, this includes Judith Andrews, Nigel Collins, Jean Kerr, Sarah Lucas and Sue Yeo.
Diocesan Contacts
- Nigel Collins (Lay Ministries Adviser).
- Sarah Lucas (Mission and Ministry Administrator).
See the dementia Blog here: