St Mary’s Church Parish Nurse Service

What is a Parish Nurse?

A Parish Nurse is a qualified Registered Nurse who offers free, confidential support to help people improve their health and wellbeing—physically, emotionally, and (if desired) spiritually.

All Parish Nurses are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and follow its professional Code of Conduct. They bring experience from working in the NHS and community settings.

Our Parish Nurses are employed by St Mary’s Church, Chipping Norton, with funding from the Helen Hamlyn Trust. The service is available to people living in Chipping Norton and the surrounding villages.

Who is this service for?

The Parish Nurse Service is open to everyone, regardless of age, background, or beliefs. You do not need to attend church or have any faith. The Parish Nurse can offer spiritual care and prayer following the individuals consent for this, however, will never pressure anyone to change beliefs or attend church.

We can support:

• Adults, older people, and families
• People living with long-term health conditions
• Those feeling isolated, anxious, or overwhelmed
• Carers who need advice or support

What does a Parish Nurse do?

Parish Nurses focus on the whole person, not just a medical condition. They take time to listen and offer practical, emotional, and (if you choose) spiritual support.

Spiritual care, including prayer, is always optional and only offered with your consent.

The Parish Nurse can:

• Help you find the right care and navigate health and social services
• Support your health goals, wellbeing, stress, and anxiety
• Offer general health advice, education, and community clinics
• Provide time to listen and emotional support
• Advocate for you, including attending appointments if needed
• Offer home visits where appropriate
• Signpost you to local services and support
• Liaise with healthcare professionals (with your consent)
• Support family members and carers
• Offer optional spiritual care, including prayer

What we are not able to provide

To make sure you receive the right care, there are some services we cannot offer. The Parish Nurse Service complements NHS and other services—it does not replace them.

We are unable to provide:

• Emergency or urgent medical treatment
• Clinical procedures (such as injections, dressings, or hands-on care)
• Specialist medical advice
• Mental health crisis support
• Personal care or respite care
• Hospice or end-of-life care

If you are unwell or need medical advice, please contact your GP or NHS 111.

How to refer into the Parish Nurse Service

For more information please see the Parish Nurse Service Leaflet 

For a client to be accepted by the Parish Nursing Service, a referral form must be completed using one of the referral forms below.

Self-referrals 

Please download and complete the self-referral form 

Alternatively, you can phone the Parish Nurse on 07364 219486 or email parishnurse@smcn.uk who will be happy to complete the form on your behalf.

If  you need any help or support to make the referral you are welcome to come and speak to a volunteer at The Branch weekdays between 9am and 3pm who have referral forms they will be able to complete with you and share with the Parish Nurse.

Referrals from family and friends

Family and friends can refer someone with their full consent. Please download and complete the Family and Friends referral form.

Professional Referrals

Professionals are welcome to refer individuals with consent. Please share the Parish Nurse Service Leaflet, and download and complete the Professional Referral Form.

Why is this service being provided?

The Parish Nurse Service is part of a community initiative to support healthier ageing and wellbeing.

The Parish Nurse Service has been funded by The Helen Hamlyn Trust | Paul Hamlyn Foundation and is a partnership between St Mary’s Chipping Norton, The Branch and the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. The Parish Nurses will work on an initiative to support the development of a Healthy Ageing Hub in the community EPICS | Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

The service will contribute to the development of a local Healthy Ageing Hub—providing a safe, welcoming, and non-judgmental space focused on wellbeing and independence. This initiative has been shaped by feedback from local residents about what support is most needed in the community.

Your Parish Nurse Team

 Parish Nurse - Bethany Boddy (Monday - Friday)

Parish Administrator - To be appointed

 Volunteer Parish Nurse - Sally Smith 

Confidentiality

Your privacy is very important to us.

Anything you share with the Parish Nurse will be kept confidential and will not be shared without your permission, unless there is a risk of harm to you or others.

Although the service is based at St Mary’s Church, your information is kept securely within the Parish Nurse Service and handled in line with GDPR and all relevant regulations.

Your details will never be added to church mailing lists or used for other purposes without your consent.

Parish Nursing Ministries UK

Parish Nursing services are supported by Parish Nursing Ministries UK, a national charity that provides training, supervision, and guidance.

St Mary’s Church works in partnership with PNMUK to ensure the service is safe, professional, and well supported.

If you would like to talk to someone or find out more, please get in touch:

• Phone: 07364 219486
• Email: parishnurse@smcn.uk
• Or complete one of the referral forms above

You are welcome to reach out for yourself or on behalf of someone else (with their consent).