Being in hospital or prison is a time of high anxiety for many and sharing fears and worries with sympathetic listeners is important. Religious people have access to paid support from chaplains. The majority of us who are non-religious have no access to pastoral care outside our own families. The British Humanist Association is starting to address the issue. Volunteers are being recruited to attend hospitals and prisons on a regular basis to provide compassionate support to atheists in difficult times. Their website is humanistcare.org.uk.
This is a new initiative and will take time to roll out, but it is a wonderful example of eco-humanity in action.
