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The Leveson Centre, part of the Foundation was launched in January 2001 with the first Leveson Lecture given by the then Bishop of Birmingham, Rt Revd Mark Santer. It arose from a conviction that the contribution of older people to society was often devalued and that the church shared in this. We hoped therefore to be a local and national focus for the interdisciplinary study of ageing, spirituality and social policy through practical education, training, research and reflection on the role of older people in the 21st century. The roots of the Leveson Centre are firmly grounded in the practical experience of caring for older people in the Foundation.

The Rev'd Kathy Lloyd Roberts is master of the Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson and directs the work of the Leveson Centre. See Key Staff Members.

Mrs Jen Jones provides administrative support for the Centre, including distributing publications and answering queries on the telephone (01564 778022).

Aims of the Leveson Centre

At the Leveson Centre we bring together for study, reflection and the exchange of ideas and information those of all faiths - and none - who share our belief that older people should not be considered passive recipients of care, but as valued and cherished members of society who can inform and enrich the lives of others. In particular we are developing an understanding of spirituality as lived by older people and we aim to support them to express their spiritual awareness. We believe that Christian churches can make a distinctive contribution to the development of social policy and thus we respond and contribute to social policy initiatives from Government and elsewhere and challenge preconceptions. In all our work we try to bridge gaps between theory and practice as well as supporting and enabling older people themselves to influence policy makers, professionals, carers and churches.

What do we do?

The work of the Leveson Centre consists of a number of distinct elements:

Seminars
Topics we have covered include quality of life for people with dementia, palliative care and dementia, worship with older people, longterm care, spiritual pain, caring for carers, the spiritual needs of older people and their pastoral care, factors leading to a good death and a good funeral, learning in later life, and culture, faith and old age. For details of forthcoming seminars see our current seminar programme.

Leveson Lectures
Following the launch lecture delivered by Rt Revd Mark Santer, further lectures have been delivered to large audiences in the church by Professor Malcolm Johnson, Director of the International Institute on Health and Ageing, University of Bristol, Professor Peter Coleman of the School of Psychology at the University of Southampton, Helen Oppenheimer, philosopher and theologian, Rt Hon Frank Field, MP for Birkenhead and Revd Dr Una Kroll, retired doctor and priest. For details of the next Leveson lecture see our current seminar programme.

Website
This constantly updated resource includes details of forthcoming events, our full publications list with the opportunity for ordering on-line and a comprehensive resources section. This includes downloadable articles and book reviews on ageing and social policy, spirituality, end-of-life issues and dementia, together with a news update which provides a chronological account of current developments in social policy related to ageing. The site also provides links to other organisations working in this field.

Leveson Link
This is an occasional e-mail news service which enables supporters of the Leveson Centre to be kept informed about developments at the Centre, new publications and forthcoming events.

Publications
We now have a considerable publications list, details of which can be found here.

Keep youself up to date with the Leveson Link

The Leveson Centre
is part of
The Foundation of Lady Katherine Leveson
Registered Charity no. 213618
Temple Balsall, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands B93 0AN

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