The
Leveson Centre for the Study of Ageing, Spirituality and Social Policy
The Leveson Centre is the most recent addition to the Foundation
and was launched in January 2001 with the first Leveson Lecture given
by the then Bishop of Birmingham, Rt Revd Mark Santer. It arose from
a conviction that the contribution of older people to society was
often devalued and that the church shared in this. We hoped therefore
to be a local and national focus for the interdisciplinary study of
ageing, spirituality and social policy through practical education,
training, research and reflection on the role of older people in the
21st century. The roots of the Leveson Centre are firmly grounded
in the practical experience of caring for older people in the Foundation.
The
Director is the Revd Dr James Woodward who is Master of the
Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson and an Associate Fellow of the
Centre for Health Services Studies, Warwick Business School, University
of Warwick. He has written widely in the field of pastoral theology,
health and social care. more
information
He
is supported in this work by Mrs Alison M Johnson MA, a freelance
charity consultant on issues concerning older people. She was formerly
Secretary of Methodist Homes for the Aged with responsibility for
policy, information and research.
Mrs Jen Jones provides administrative support for the Centre,
making practical arrangements for seminars, distributing publications
and answering queries on the telephone (01564 778022).
Who are our Patrons?
We are fortunate to have a distinguished list of patrons who support
us in our work:
What are the aims of the Leveson
Centre?
At the Leveson Centre we bring together for study, reflection and
the exchange of ideas and information those of all faiths - and none
- who share our belief that older people should not be considered
passive recipients of care, but as valued and cherished members of
society who can inform and enrich the lives of others. In particular
we are developing an understanding of spirituality as lived by older
people and we aim to support them to express their spiritual awareness.
We believe that Christian churches can make a distinctive contribution
to the development of social policy and thus we respond and contribute
to social policy initiatives from Government and elsewhere and challenge
preconceptions. In all our work we try to bridge gaps between theory
and practice as well as supporting and enabling older people themselves
to influence policy makers, professionals, carers and churches.
What do we do?
The work of the Leveson Centre consists of a number of distinct elements:
Seminars
We generally organise three seminars a year which are very reasonably
priced and take place in the unique setting of our 12th-century Templars
Hall. Topics we have covered include quality of life for people with
dementia, palliative care and dementia, worship with older people,
longterm care, spiritual pain, caring for carers, the spiritual needs
of older people and their pastoral care, factors leading to a good
death and a good funeral, learning in later life, and culture, faith
and old age. For details of forthcoming seminars see our current
seminar programme.
Leveson Lectures
Following the launch lecture delivered by Rt Revd Mark Santer, further
lectures have been delivered to large audiences in the church by Professor
Malcolm Johnson, Director of the International Institute on Health
and Ageing, University of Bristol, Professor Peter Coleman of the
School of Psychology at the University of Southampton, Helen Oppenheimer,
philosopher and theologian , Rt Hon Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead and Revd Dr Una Kroll, retired doctor and priest. For details of the next Leveson lecture
see our current seminar programme.
Newsletter
We produce a Newsletter, currently twice a year, which together with
specially commissioned articles includes information about the Centre,
news of policy initiatives concerned with ageing, details of other
related projects, forthcoming events, and notices and reviews of recently
published books. more
information
Website
This constantly updated resource includes details of forthcoming
events, our full publications
list with the opportunity for ordering on-line and a comprehensive
resources section. This includes
downloadable articles and book reviews on ageing
and social policy, spirituality, end-of-life issues
and dementia, together with a
news update which provides a
chronological account of current developments in social policy related
to ageing. The site also provides links to other
organisations working in this field.
Leveson Link
This is an occasional e-mail news service which enables supporters
of the Leveson Centre to be kept informed about developments at the
Centre, new publications and forthcoming events.
Publications
We now have a considerable publications list, details of which can
be found here.
Events
programme | Become a Friend of the
Leveson Centre
Keep
youself up to date with the Leveson
Link
