A listening presence: Pastoral Care for our non-religious residents

When people hear ‘Pastoral Care’ they often think of religious guidance but at The Forrest Centre, it means something deeper: being present, listening, and meeting people exactly where they are, with or without faith.

“It’s just having someone to sit and listen,” says Pastoral Care Worker Vicki Hancock. “That’s a really big thing in this type of work – learning to sit still and listen when people are talking to you, rather than putting your own self into their conversation.”

Vicki, an Anglican minister with nearly a decade of aged care experience, understands that spiritual support doesn’t always come from scripture. It can be found in personal passions, memories, hobbies, or even a quiet cup of tea. Many of the residents at The Forrest Centre may not identify with a particular religion but that doesn’t mean they don’t want connection.

“Some people might say, ‘I don’t believe in anything like that.’ And then I’ll say, ‘Well, how would you feel about me coming and having a chat with you occasionally?’ And that works out quite well most of the time,” Vicki explains. “They always enjoy having someone to talk to.”

Her role is about understanding people – what they care about, what they’ve lived through, and what brings them comfort. Whether that’s a memory of fishing as a child or knitting with others, Vicki gently guides people back into a sense of purpose and belonging.

“Spirituality in Australia has come a long way. It’s not so much about, ‘Are you religious?’ It’s more about, ‘What are you spiritual about?’” she says. “We are all passionate about something – gardening, reading, knitting – and that’s often where connection begins.”

Inclusivity is at the heart of her approach. Vicki works alongside Catholic and Anglican ministers and volunteers to support residents across faith backgrounds and beyond. “We’ve had all kinds of people here and I’ve had to learn what’s meaningful to them. You just respect people’s wishes, whatever they are.”

Ultimately, for residents with no religious ties, Pastoral Care at The Forrest Centre is not about preaching – it’s about presence. A calm, respectful companion in what can be a confronting stage of life. As Vicki says, “This is their home. They can make their own decisions about who they want to talk to. We’re just here if they need us.”

You can read more about Pastoral Care at The Forrest Centre here: https://forrestcentre.com.au/pastoral-care