CARE Essentials Course

Course dates for 2023 are continually being updated. Registrations open.

The Volunteers CARE Essentials Course is a basic introduction to the general scope of Christian pastoral care. It is an eight-session course designed for use in congregations, faith communities or care facilities. The course is the beginning step on the pathway to more specialised pastoral care volunteering in various Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod chaplaincy settings.

This course includes an exploration of what pastoral care entails and how we can define it, examines why we are involved in pastoral care, and introduces some foundational skills needed to get started as a pastoral carer.

This session will cover:

  • What am I doing here?
  • What is pastoral care?
  • Why do we care?

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Give a simple definition of pastoral care.
  • Be introduced to some Biblical and theological underpinnings for pastoral care.
  • Start reflecting on why you want to be involved in pastoral care.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Be made aware of the importance of respect and confidentiality in pastoral care.
  • Be introduced to some basic pastoral care ethics.
  • Understand the importance of and processes involved with referring on to your mentor.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Be introduced to the concept of active listening and some of the skills involved.
  • Be introduced to some basic questioning techniques.
  • Be aware of some aspects of verbal and non-verbal communication.
  • Practise the skills you have been learning.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Be introduced to some ways of establishing rapport with a care recipient.
  • Revise, expand on and practice questioning skills.
  • Be reminded of processes for referral and follow-up, reporting to our mentors, debriefing and releasing pastoral encounters.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Be familiar with some of the most commonly used language around grief and loss.
  • Be aware of some processes that can be evident in a person who is mourning.
  • Be aware of the concept of stages of grief.
  • Be aware of some of the characteristics of ‘companioning’.
  • Recognise that some special cases may require further training or referral.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Outline what theology means to you.
  • Be aware of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and sources of theology.
  • Be introduced to a process of theological reflection known as the Pastoral Cycle.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Be aware of a model of human development.
  • Be introduced to some aspects of the diversity of the human condition including disability, common mental health problems and dementia.
  • Be aware of the nature of palliative care.

By the end of this session you will be able to:

  • Recognise some symptoms of stress and burnout.
  • Discuss and, if necessary, implement some preventative measures we all need to take, in order to maintain balance in our lives.
  • Pray for God’s guidance for our future work in pastoral care.

Register now

Volunteers CARE Essentials course is $100 per participant and is offered at least twice a year in local areas around Queensland. Find out more about the next CARE Essentials course in your local area, email volunteerscare@ucaqld.com.au or fill out the form. Please advise if you have any dietary requirements prior to the course.

  • About you

  • Your referee

  • Choose your course

  • Course dates 2023

    A single course can run two full days or multiple days for a shorter duration.

    The next courses will be offered both online and in-person. The details are below:

    Hervey Bay
    Hervey Bay Uniting Church
    56 Exeter St, Torquay
    Saturdays - 30 September & 7 October 2023
    9am - 5pm each day


    Toowoomba (intensive)
    St Stephens Uniting Church Hall
    51 Neil Street, Toowoomba 4350
    Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 October 2023
    9am-5pm each day
    Lunch provided


    Buderim Private Hospital
    Level 3 Education Centre
    12 Elsa Wilson Drive, Buderim
    7th & 14th October 2023
    9am - 4pm each day
    E: theo.masselos@uchealth.com.au
    M: 0418 879 802

    $100 includes participant workbook & catering.

    Free for UCQ Volunteers using Promo Code: UCQVOL.

  • Thank you for registering for an upcoming CARE Essentials course. If you are being subsidised to participate in this training then please enter a valid promo code below. Once you have entered a valid promo code and completed filling out the form, click on the “Register and Pay” button. This will finalise your registration and open a pay window to make payment for this course. For those being subsidised, please ignore this pay window and close it. Once the subsidised amount has been accounted for, we will invoice attendees for the outstanding balance, if any.
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