Knowledge Centre for Home-based Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care 1

This knowledge centre (‘Kenniswerkplaats’) focuses on bringing together and developing knowledge about meaning-making, professionalising spiritual care at home (GV Thuis) and addressing the need for meaning-making in primary care and the social sector (ZvZ Thuis). The project is funded with the support of ZonMw.

The knowledge centre focused on four activities:

• building a knowledge infrastructure;
• knowledge development on specific themes in learning networks;
• conducting impact research in GV Thuis and overarching research within ZvZ Thuis
• further development of expertise in primary care and the social domain.

To this end, the knowledge and experience of a wide range of relevant stakeholders were brought together. Researchers, professionals and clients are collaborating to develop knowledge for education and professional practice. This brings significant added value to the emerging field of meaning-making and spiritual care in the home setting.

Background

On 1 October 2021, the University of Humanistic Studies, together with the University of Groningen, the Protestant Theological University and 12 other social and academic partners, launched a national Knowledge Centre for Home-based Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care 1. On 1 October 2022, the knowledge centre was expanded to include ‘Care for Meaning at Home’, and a further seven new partners joined in this second project. In 2025, the initiative was continued in a third project: the ‘Knowledge Centre for Home-based Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care’ 3.

Knowledge infrastructure

The knowledge centre serves to strengthen collaboration between educational, research and practice-based organisations working in the field of meaning-making and spiritual care. In this initial phase, the various participating organisations jointly drew up a research agenda for spiritual care in the home, as well as for other professions that provide support for meaning-making in primary care and the social sector. At the same time, work was carried out on creating a central repository for various types of knowledge.

Learning community

The learning community in this first phase consisted of 16 learning networks that developed knowledge and practices centred on a theme relevant to spiritual care in the home. The topics covered by the learning networks are:

• people with intellectual disabilities who live independently in the neighbourhood;
• moral distress among veterans;
• interprofessional collaboration;
• spiritual care in the Groningen earthquake area;
• philosophical diversity and interphilosophical spiritual care;
• hope among people with chronic physical or psychiatric conditions;
• palliative care for children;
• low literacy and poverty;
• interprofessional meaning-based care;
• homeless people with criminal records;
• dementia care;
• meaningful waiting time;
• care for meaning in drop-in centres;
• care for meaning for people with a migrant background;
• students and young professionals;
• young people in Limburg and North Brabant.

Home-based chaplaincy impact study

The impact assessment in this first phase focused on the objectives, needs, working methods and outcomes of spiritual care in the home setting. Existing data from research into spiritual care at home and from the learning networks were utilised to better identify clients’ needs, the interventions carried out by spiritual carers and the outcomes of these interventions. All of this contributes to a greater understanding of the practices of spiritual care at home and the benefits these bring to clients and society.

Research into Care for Meaning

The overarching research in the expansion of the knowledge centre focuses on three areas: needs for meaning, differentiation and expertise development.

Sector projects

The sector projects focused on the development and refinement of expertise in the field of meaning-centred care in the health and social care sector. These were projects for seven professional groups, focusing on meaning-centred care in the home environment. In each sector project, professional associations, practice-based organisations, research institutions and client representatives worked together on three components:

• A needs assessment regarding meaning among clients/patients and professionals.
• A knowledge synthesis.
• The (further) development of an educational module.

Researchers

• Prof. Gaby Jacobs (project leader and coordinator), Professor of Spiritual Care, University of Humanistic Studies
• Prof. J.K. Muthert, adjunct professor, University of Groningen
• Dr. H.J. Olsman, associate professor, Protestant Theological University
• Dr. C. Schuhmann, assistant professor, University of Humanistic Studies
• Dr A. Visser-Nieraeth, university lecturer, University of Groningen
• Ir. V. Vaarten, innovation and development WMO Radar
• Jorika Baarda, project manager, University of Humanistic Studies

Partners

• Universities: Protestant Theological University, Radboud University, University of Groningen, Tilburg University, University of Humanistic Studies (lead partner), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
• UMCs: Leiden University Medical Centre, Radboud UMC, UMC Utrecht
• Universities of applied sciences: Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, VIAA University of Applied Sciences, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
• Professional associations: Association of Spiritual Caregivers (VGVZ), V&VN, Association of Dutch Volunteer Organisations (NOV)
• Practical organisations in healthcare and welfare: Centre for Life Questions Amsterdam-Diemen (NPZA), Evinas Health Centre, Youth Assistance Friesland, ‘t PGCJ, Project Group GV Thuis/Agora, WMO Radar

(Co-)funding

ZonMw, Zingeving en Geestelijke verzorging programme (Meaning and Spiritual Care programme).

Also see

• Website Kenniswerkplaats Zingeving
• LinkedIn-page Kenniswerkplaats
• ZonMw-programma Zingeving en Geestelijke Verzorging
• Care for Meaning at Home – 2 (continuation)
• Knowledge Centre for Home-based Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care – 3 (continuation)

Kennisplein Zingeving

Knowledge and findings from the knowledge centre are now being shared and further developed via the Kennisplein Zingeving (‘Knowledge Hub Meaning in Life’). This is the digital development platform for professionals from the fields of practice, education and research in the area of meaning in life and spiritual care in the home setting. On the knowledge centre , you will find, amongst other things, knowledge and resources, practical examples, current developments and events. Professionals can also ask questions, share experiences and collaborate with one another. In this way, the knowledge centre contributes to ensuring the long-term availability, sharing and further development of knowledge relating to meaning and spiritual care. Visit the Knowledge Hub at kennispleinzingeving.nl.

Contact

• info@kenniswerkplaatszingeving.nl