The needs of elderly people across Derbyshire are at the heart of a new appointment in the Church of England Diocese of Derby.

The Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby, will licence the Revd Robert Parker as Bishop’s Officer for Ministry with the Elderly at a service on Monday, June 11th, 2.00pm, at St Barnabas Church, Derby. It is thought to be the first appointment of its kind in the Church of England.

Old age is a special and important time spiritually and requires a particular kind of treatment by the clergy and the church. By offering advice, talks and other kinds of support, Robert Parker will help churches across Derbyshire further understand the spiritual needs of elderly people living in their parishes.

Robert, 64, is a member of the clergy in Shropshire, but most of his time is spent running seven nursing care homes for the elderly in the area with his wife, Gina. They employ 400 staff and there are 350 residents under their care. For the time being he will continue to do this alongside his role in Derbyshire.

About five years ago he set up the Simeon Trust to research and understand the aging process. It offers lectures, information, seminars and other forms of education on the subject.

He has also worked with the Bishop of Guildford on ministry with the elderly, and it was because of his work with the Simeon Trust, which organizes national events focusing on the spiritual life of the elderly, that it caught the interest of the Bishop of Derby. After exploring with Robert what he could offer in Derbyshire, the Bishop agreed a job description for him and will be licensing Robert next week.

Robert said: “I am very pleased to be taking on this role for Derbyshire, although I am quite clear that a great deal of work in this field has been done already in the Derby Diocese. I am keen to discover what has been done, to learn from it, and if possible, to contribute to it. Further, I want to be positive for people in old age. It can often be viewed as a time of declining physical and mental health, of loneliness and of disability, but there are many joys and opportunities in old age and reaching your 80’s, 90’s and beyond is something to be celebrated.

“With more people living longer it is going to be increasingly important that the special spiritual ministry to this age group is understood within communities. This applies not only to those who have no church connections - many elderly people belong to a church, have served within it all their lives and their approaching frailty should not prevent them from remaining valued and useful members. ”

Bishop Alastair said: “I am very pleased to licence Robert in this important role. There is a lot of work going on in Derbyshire churches already to care for the needs of elderly people and Robert’s considerable experience will be of great benefit to deepen our understanding. We have excellent officers and advisers in the diocese who focus on work with young people, so why not have a focus on the elderly? I look forward to seeing Robert’s role open up new possibilities across Derbyshire for the elderly and those who care for their spiritual wellbeing.”

ENDS