Whole person health: Caring holistically for the community

The term “whole person health” alludes to the idea that good health is holistic. Not simply the absence of illness, good health entails being physically well, mentally and emotionally well, socially well, and also spiritually well. Whole person health acknowledges that these facets of health are inextricably connected.

While most obviously serving the spiritual health of their communities, London churches also do much to serve the wider holistic health and wellbeing of their communities – especially through social action ministries, where community members may have vulnerabilities and particular health needs. For example:

• Memory cafés care for the emotional and social health of attendees by bringing those living with dementia – people who often experience isolation – into community. They often also care for attendees’ physical health in offering guided exercises, and signposting to local health services.
• Community meals bless attendees by bringing them into relationship with others, thus tending to their social and emotional health. The food shared (and taken home) upholds guests’ physical health by ensuring they have enough to eat, and the participation of church leaders creates a pastoral presence to care for attendees’ spiritual health, even if the activity is not explicitly missional.

To support the holistic health of their communities, churches can also partner with various NHS services. While this is not yet widespread in London, a number of diocesan churches are doing this through:

• Engaging with social prescribers
• Providing GP chaplaincy
• Employing Parish nurses
• Running / Hosting health clinics
• Piloting new approaches to social care

Within the London and the wider UK context, these efforts have an additional political and socio-economic significance.

Health Inequalities

Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy are closely linked to deprivation: the greater the deprivation, the shorter the life expectancy. Those living in deprived areas spend more of their shorter lives in poor health.

The Revd. Dr. Gillian Straine 

Health is an equality issue; poor health and a shorter life expectancy go hand-in-hand with poverty. There is therefore a role for the church to play here, in allying with the poor.

In Theo’s January 2025 report into social prescribing the bishop of London observed:

There is a faith group present in every community. Indeed, faith observance is higher in areas where deprivation is higher. If we are serious in the task of reducing health inequalities, faith groups are essential partners in this work.

The Rt Rev. and Rt Hon.  Lord Bishop of London Sarah Mullally DBE

The contribution made by community-based institutions (such as churches) has already been welcomed by the Government. In speaking about NHS reform, the Labour Government has put forward idea of a “Neighbourhood Health Service,” whereby there is “a greater emphasis on preventing ill-heath, shifting care from hospitals to the community.” At a time when 1 in 5 GP appointments relates to social challenges, rather than strictly medical ones, churches, who are already providing numerous community services, can be meeting community members needs more directly.

Christian Think Tank, Theos, have explicitly called for churches to engage with social prescribers – so that patients who present with social challenges, can be connected with pre-existing, church-run projects and programmes.

If you would like to discuss how your church might take a more pro-active role in “whole person health” or connecting in with NHS services, feel free to contact us on compassionate.communities@london.anglican.org