Better Together 2026 – Flourishing: Living Life to the Full

A two-day gathering of Religious Communities Caring for the Sick (RCCS) will take place at Boarbank Hall, Cumbria, bringing together those involved in care within religious communities to share learning, reflection and support.

The RCCS network began following a meeting of Religious Communities Caring for the Sick held at Boarbank Hall at the turn of 2018/19. At the end of that meeting there was a desire to continue meeting, sharing ideas and offering mutual support.

To support this, an ECHO (Extended Community Health Outcomes) Network, hosted by Queenscourt Hospice, Southport, was established. Since April 2019, the RCCS ECHO Network has met for one hour at 8.00am roughly each month. The network continued to support one another throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and has now met more than 60 times.

Over time the sessions have explored a wide range of topics connected with care in religious communities. These have included caring for the dying, future care planning, the spirituality of ageing, collaborative working, funding, healthy eating, grief and bereavement, happiness and wellbeing, sensory impairment, meaningful activity, regulatory frameworks, and sleep, rest and recreation.

Guest speakers have included Kathryn Mannix, Dr David Unwin, and Baroness Hollins, whose contributions have enriched the conversations and shared learning within the network.

The Better Together Conference grew from the group’s desire to meet face-to-face, get to know one another better, and share both physical and spiritual nourishment. This gathering will be the fourth Better Together Conference, focusing on the theme “Flourishing: Living Life to the Full.”

The conference will take place from Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 April at Boarbank Hall, Allithwaite, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria (LA11 7NH). The programme will include reflection, discussion sessions, shared prayer, and opportunities for informal conversation and community building as participants explore together what it means to flourish in later life and in communities caring for others.

The organisers are grateful to Douai Abbey and Boarbank Hall, who have kindly agreed to host the conference on alternate years.

Bookings can be made by contacting Sr Marian at bookings@boarbankhall.org.uk or by telephone on 015395 32288.

Explore Upcoming Events at the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice

The FCJ Centre in Euston is offering a wide and inspiring programme of events this summer, both in person and online. From spiritual retreats and environmental reflection to community action and creative prayer, the programme invites individuals and groups to engage deeply with faith, justice, and creation.

Highlights include:

• Revisiting Laudato Si’ – Marking 10 years of this prophetic encyclical (7 June)

• Braiding Sweetgrass – An evening of reflection on our connection with the Earth (13 June)

• Refugee Week Vigil – A witness of prayer outside the Home Office (16 June)

• Online Evening Retreat – Exploring the “I Am” sayings of Jesus through poetry and image (26 June)

• Circle Dance & Prayer – A day of movement and meditation (19 July)

• Young Adult Network Walk – A chance to connect with others and nature (20 July)

• National Justice & Peace Network Conference – Attend all or part of this key gathering (25–27 July)

📩 The full list of events can be found in the FCJ Centre’s June 2025 newsletter:
👉 View the newsletter here

📰 To receive future updates directly from the FCJ Centre, sign up for their newsletter:
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These events offer a rich opportunity to engage with themes of spirituality, community, and social justice. Do explore and share with anyone who might be interested.