Prama: Our Christian Basis

Our Mission: As a Christian Charity we support those who live with vulnerability, or are isolated due to age or infirmity, to enjoy their independence, lead fulfilling lives and contribute to society.

Our Christian Values

“Prama is Christianity with it’s sleeves rolled up” Joni Eareckson-Tada

The Apostles' Creed

Although from a variety of denominations and traditions all Prama Trustees confirm that they conform to the Apostle’s Creed which states; “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.”

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As an expression of the Love of Christ for all, Prama was formed in the 1980’s by local church congregations of all denominations to be “Christianity with it’s sleeves rolled up” As a Christian charity we follow the example of Jesus and choose to be defined as loving and including without exception. We declare that God’s love cannot be stopped by any boundary, whether set by others, by history, or by ourselves.

At Prama we consider all people as 1. made in God’s image; 2. loved by Him regardless; 3. called into community; 4. offered redemption by His grace 5. promised His glory.

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1. We believe all people are made in God’s image.

• God creates us for relationships, in which He wants us to flourish. [Hebrews 10.24] • God has made us able to reflect His love in the way we relate to others. [Luke 10.27] • We are made for freedom, free to choose how we live, and responsible for our choices.

[Galatians 5.1] • We are moral beings, given ability to know right from wrong. [Romans 1.19-20] • We are all made for eternity; this life is not the full picture. [Ecclesiastes 3.11] Therefore we shall see each person as intrinsically valuable to God and society, created to live a full and free life, with love, abilities and responsibilities for themselves, towards others and to the whole of creation.

2. We believe all people are loved by God, regardless.

• We are all equal in the eyes of God. [Matthew 20.1-16] • God’s perfect creation is spoiled; we have all sinned, and our lives reflect this. [Romans 3.23] • God love is unconditional. There is nothing a person can do that places them outside God’s love. [Ephesians 2.4-5] • God is merciful. He never gives up, repeatedly offering fresh beginnings. [Lam 3.22-23] • God is generous and longs to give everyone good things. [Isaiah 40.28-31] Therefore we shall endeavour to love unconditionally and be generous towards all those who come our way, to always respect and believe in them, offering to each fresh starts.

3. We believe all people are called into community.

• God made us to live in community and fellowship and to care for all of creation [Gen 1:26-30]

• God wants each of us to thrive in families and communities. [Ephesians 3.14-19] • Such families and communities provide learning situations that fit us for society.

[Deuteronomy 6.4-9] • Healthy relationships give purpose, meaning and dignity to each party. [Matthew 22.39] • By putting us into relationships God means for us to discover relationship with him. [1John 1.3-4] • God rejoices in communities where truth, forgiveness and respect are given and received.

[Psalm 133] Therefore we shall build community in each stream of activity, seeking to offer learning environments that give personal meaning and dignity, preparing us all for fuller citizenship on earth and pointing us to fullness of life in God’s kingdom.

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4. We believe people are offered redemption by God’s grace.

• God desires each one of us to be in relationship him. [Isaiah 57.18-19] • Because sin separates all people from God, He sent His Son Jesus, whose death and resurrection frees us from the burden of guilt and the vicious circle of sin, restoring us to a right relationship with God and others. [Romans 4.25, Romans 5.6-8] • This fullness of life is found when we recognise our need of Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. [John 10.10] • God is present with those who trust in Him through the person of the Holy Spirit, Counsellor, Comforter and Friend. [John 16.13] Therefore we shall nurture communities that invite all to find and receive forgiveness for the past, peace in the present and hope for the future.

5. We believe people are promised God’s glory.

• Because God’s gift and grace are freely available, we can all be inheritors of heaven’s riches.

[1Peter 1.3-4] • Such a future promise gives us each a very real and present assurance. [Psalm 27.5] • With God we all have a greater potential for this life. This will be fully realised in eternity.

[Proverbs 22.4] • God longs to restore each of us that we might reflect his glory now and in the future. [1Peter 5.10] Therefore we shall offer opportunities to those we meet that help them to find their true potential, live without fear, contribute to society and find personal restoration.

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Interpreting our Christian belief and mission into practical expressions

The Life-course approach to ageing We all experience ageing in a different way and we are a complex mix of the decisions and values we have made, the environment and government we have experienced, and the strengths and vulnerabilities our bodies inherited.

From the moment we are born, we all begin ageing. This is the start of a complex and varied life-course. Each of us live through different events, we make choices, we face the consequences of policies, systems and the intersecting forms of discrimination that influence our lives. As we grow older, the impact on us of these different experiences accumulates.

Events, choices, policies and discrimination impact us – not just when they happen, but also long into our future. At the same time, as we grew older, our age intersects with other characteristics, which meant we can face complex and unique forms of marginalisation and discrimination in older age. Reaching a peak of physical strength in our early adult life we usually see a gradual decline in well being and resilience as life progresses. Although we usually recover from the physical, emotional and spiritual impacts that life brings often, as we age, recovery takes longer and we frequently fail to make a full recovery.

Prama tries to recognise and support people throughout the life-course, recognising the things that can negatively impact the probability of enjoying a long and healthy life that is filled with joy and dignity.

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How we do it (structurally)

Leads and coordinates our work and fundraising through our shops. Lobbying at Local, national and international level on issues of dignity in later life, Human Rights and Government policy to fulfil our vison of “a world where no-one is unfairly disadvantaged or excluded due to age or infirmity and where everyone can enjoy life as they age”.

Seeks to make Dorset and BCP an Age Friendly Community. It provides a range of clubs, groups, activities, chaplaincy and befriending services to older people and those with dementia in different locations. We are also supporting a number of local areas in becoming Dementia Friendly Communities.

Memory Lane, Carers Support Groups, Pop-In Social Groups, Sporting Memories, Knit and Natter, Armchair Exercise, LGBTQ and groups for those of other ethnicities.

Building extraordinary Leaders, managers, teams and individuals, from individual self support and high quality home care to outstanding programmes within churches and charities.

We provide high quality domiciliary care, which 99% of our clients say that they would recommend us. PramaCare helps people stay independent in their homes. PramaCare also includes our Envision Brain Injury Service and Nail Care Service.

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How do we do it (Practically) Prama’s “Pathways to Dignity” in engaging with Older People Ageing is something that everyone does and we want it to be an enjoyable experience where people retain their independence, self-worth and dignity. In the coming period we will continue to develop our models of working based on these 8 core statements – or “Pathways to Dignity”.

EXTERNAL PATHWAYS Scriptural Principle

Pathway

Support

Empowerment

Boundaries and Expectations

Constructive Use of Time

Older people need to be surrounded by, and will respond to, people who love, care, appreciate and accept them.

Older People need to feel valued and valuable. This happens when he/she is, and feels, safe and respected.

Older People need clear expectations of what they can contribute to and expect from society; its rules and expected behaviours, as well as the consequences for breaching them.

Older People need opportunities to continue learning and growing; to develop skills and interests with others.

Prov 17:17, Ecc 4:9-12, Rom 15 1-7, Gal 6:2, Col 3:12-14

Eph 6:8, 2 Tim 1:7, 1 John 4:11

Ps 119: 9-11, Prov 3:11-12, 1 Cor 10:23-24, Col 3:1-11, Php 3:13-14

Ecc 3:12-13, 1 Cor 12:12-20

Subsection

S1

We want our clients to feel a part of our “Prama Family”

S2

We want our clients to communicate effectively, without fear of rejection, able to seek advice and counsel

S3

We want our clients to be aware of and know how to access external support

S4

We want our clients to be able to seek support from other agencies if they wish

S5

We want every staff member to be actively involved in helping clients live with dignity.

E6

We want to recognise success, progress and growth.

E7

We want clients to know their value and the positive impact they can have on others.

E8

We want every client to be able to live free from fear.

L9

We want every client to have opportunities for growth and learning.

L10

We want every staff member to be a positive role model.

L11

We want every client to live free from discrimination

L12

We want every client to be aware of changes in societal values and standards.

T14

We want to provide opportunities to reduce isolation and loneliness

T15

We want to encourage clients to engage with others

T16

We want to provide access to a variety of creative activities

T17

We want to provide access to opportunities for spiritual growth 8|P a g e

INTERNAL

Scriptural Principle

Pathway

V18 Commitment to Learning

Positive Values

Social Competencies

Positive identity

Older People needs a sense of the lasting importance of learning and a belief in their own abilities

Older People need to develop and maintain strong guiding values or principles to help them make healthy life choices

Older People need the skills to interact effectively with others, to make difficult decisions, and cope with new situations.

Older People need to believe in their own self worth and to feel that they have control over the things that happen to them.

PATHWAYS

Prov 2, Prov 19:20, James 1:5

Prov 4:25-27, Prov 8:32-33, Col 3:15-16, Titus 2:1-8

Prov 3:5-6, Col 4:5-6, Tit 3:1-2, James 1:1922

John 15:16, Rom 12:1-2, Eph 1:11, Php 1:27, Col 3:17, James 1:1215

V19

Subsection

We want every client to know that they can continue learning at any age.

V21

We want every client to be able to make a contribution We want to create opportunities for people to share their learning Responsibility

V22

Restraint

B23

We want every client to be able to act on their own convictions & stand up for their beliefs

B24

We want every client to be aware of the risks in today’s society

V20

B26

We want to create opportunities for people to be / have positive Role Models Positive Peer Influence

B27

High Expectations

C28

We want every client to be able to plan ahead and make choices.

C29

We want every client to be able to recognise and resist negative per pressure.

C30

We want every client to be comfortable on issues of culture/race/sexuality and ethnicity.

C31

We want every client to be aware of new technologies and the potential for abuse.

C32

We want every client to resolve conflict non-violently.

I33

We want every client to feel they have control over the things that happen to them.

I34

We want every client to have high self esteem

I35

We want every client to have a sense of purpose

I36

We want every client to have a positive view of the future

B25

The “Pathways to Dignity” are adapted, with permission, from the principles of developmental assets developed by one of our research partners, the Search Institute, Minneapolis. We are seeking to develop a new model of engagement which will feed good practice in providing services that combat stereotypes and encourage dignity in later life.

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