We are delighted to have Parish Nurse Assistants (PNAs) working within our North Blackwater Parish Nursing Service, to support the Parish Nurse in caring for and supporting people living and working in our community. Each PNA has been recruited through the Church of England ‘safer recruitment’ practices. This includes gaining full DBS clearance.

Parish Nurse Assistants work under the direct or indirect supervision of the Parish Nurse, who is a qualified nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and both trained and certificated by Parish Nursing Ministries UK (PNMUK). Parish Nurse Assistants will only undertake those duties included within their role description. They receive a full induction into their role, and are provided with ongoing training, support and supervision by the Parish Nurse and PNMUK. Each Parish Nurse Assistant holds a wide range of knowledge, skills, and life experience to enable them to actively listen to people, offer emotional support and empathy, provide health information, literature, and to offer art and craft activities, all supported by the Parish Nurse.

Parish Nurses and Parish Nurse Assistants respect and adhere to a duty of confidentiality to those they are supporting, and will not discuss anything confidential with anyone except the Parish Nurse. If anyone receiving support from the North Blackwater Parish Nursing Service discloses personal information relating to their own or to someone else’s health or well-being, the PNA will discuss this with the Parish Nurse. Gaining a person’s consent to share information relating to a their health, for example where a referral is indicated, is also very important.

I am a mother of two girls and a grandmother of four boys – quite an interesting experience!

I qualified as a pharmacist and worked in both hospital and community posts before retiring.

Caring for my late husband through Motor Neurone Disease (MND) helped strengthen my Christian faith. I look forward to being of service to others as a Parish Nurse Assistant (PNA

I am a wife, mother and grandmother. I have experienced many of life’s ups and downs and hope that these experiences along with my career as a teacher and registered counsellor will enable me to be am empathic listener and friend.

“..When we long for life without….difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” Peter Marshall

I am a wife, mother of four, and a grandmother of seven. I have been a cook in a children’s care home and in a hospital.

I taught for a few years, and gained experience working as an assistant to the midwife on night shifts.

I later worked in the NHS as a receptionist and a dispenser at our local surgery for thirty two years, until retirement.

In all areas of my life so far, I am a Christian in a caring and serving capacity. I believe I have gained life skills that will enable
me to be a valuable member of the team, supporting people in the community, including Jo in her role as Parish Nurse. 

Michael (Mike) Martin was raised in Rugby, Warwickshire.

He moved initially to London, then to Essex as a secondary school science teacher. 

“l have lived in Tollesbury for 49 years, was married for 50 years and am now widowed following my wife’s long illness. I have 3 children, 2 living abroad. The third has 3 children who live just around the corner from me. I see them frequently. They are a source of joy and help to make their grandfather a less grouchy antique”

 Mike is pleased to be able to support and to contribute to our North Blackwater Parish Nursing Service (Blackwater Benefice).