How faith communities can work with the NHS will be one of the topics at a conference being planned for Bodmin in spring.

Members of The Bodmin Way and HeartEdge are inviting a number of key speakers to take part in the event, which is due to take place on March 3 and 4, 2026, at St Petroc’s Church in Bodmin.

The two-day conference will be chaired by Revd Paul Holley, Team Rector of the Bodmin Team Ministry and chair of Bodmin Way, former founder and coordinator of the Anglican Health Network.

Stethoscope on white background.Speakers include:

  • Dr Ian Smith – former Executive Director of the Office of the Director-General of the World Health Organisation.
  • Dr Sally Smith – former Senior Adviser at the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS for community engagement on HIV with a focus on faith-based organisations.
  • Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd David Williams.
  • Revd Dr Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

The workshops will centre round health topics such as ‘The nature and impact of Parish Nursing’ and ‘Community Health and Wellbeing Worker projects in Cornwall’.

Paul Holley said: “The intertwining of faith and health has been at the heart of the Church’s ministry from the beginning. What we can demonstrate in Bodmin is how this work can be renewed in partnership with the NHS amidst significant health inequalities.

“With the aid of parish nurses and NHS-funded Community Health and Wellbeing Workers, we are making a major difference to the quality of people’s lives.”

“With the aid of parish nurses and NHS-funded Community Health and Wellbeing Workers, we are making a major difference to the quality of people’s lives.” – Paul Holley.

Revd Andrew Yates said: “March 4 will be a transformative day of resourcing and exploration offering a unique opportunity to discover practical tools and fresh perspectives to invigorate churches ministry in both rural and urban contexts.

“Through workshops, theological insights, and moments of worship, we aim to equip your church to flourish in compassion, creativity, and community engagement.”

Bodmin Way is a social enterprise with 18 staff and 80 volunteers who ‘have established an enterprising ecosystem for health and wellbeing in a context of high deprivation’. It is led by Team Rector, Revd Paul Holley.

More information about Bodmin way can be found on the website:  https://www.bodminway.org/

HeartEdge is a movement helping people discover what God is doing in their local church and community. It aims to equip people to develop plans to be a transforming presence for God. It is currently led by Sian and Andrew Yates who between them have over 50 years’ experience of ministry within Cornwall.

People are invited to attend either or both of the days.