Do I have to attend every session?

We hope that participants will aim for 100% attendance and at least 80% is expected to complete the course successfully.

Will I get a certificate at the end?

At the end of the course participants will still need to have completed 20 hours of supervised accompaniment in order to join the Coventry Diocese’s network of spiritual companions.  

There is as yet no national accreditation for spiritual accompaniment; there are however many courses on offer across the UK which vary considerably in their length, cost, and whether they are taught face to face or online

Is there much homework?

We use a standard textbook as the basic framework for the course and we make other suggestions for wider reading as it is always useful to embed your learning.  

The main “homework” however will be to give time to your own relationship with God in prayer; this will be the raw material for the practical sessions when participants will take turns to be the pilgrim, the companion and the observer.

In addition, as soon as possible after the course starts you will need to find a pilgrim to accompany outside the course sessions.  This way you will start building towards the 20 hrs of supervised practice.

What if I do have to miss a session - how do I catch up with the content I miss?

If you miss an input session you will still receive any resources that were used.  Each participant is also allocated a tutor from the team who will be able to catch you up and answer any questions.  The practical sessions however can’t be “caught up” which is why attendance is so important.

Why do you need references? What will you ask them? Who should I ask to provide references for this course?

Spiritual accompaniment is a calling and requires particular qualities such as prayerfulness, a willingness  to listen, empathy, self-awareness, and an open and non-judgmental approach to the wide variety of people’s lives and experience. In your application you have the chance to explain how you feel you are being called and we ask for references to ascertain whether others also discern this calling for you.

Your referees should be people who know you and your spiritual life well.

Why do you require people to have a spiritual companion before they start the course?

It is important to have an understanding of the role from  the receiving end before undertaking the training - that way you know where you are heading and have had time to experience the impact of having a spiritual companion on your own journey before offering this ministry to others.

How do I find a spiritual companion?

You can start the process by contacting Ann O'Sullivan by email at anncatherineosullivan@gmail.com

Why do you charge / Where does the money go?

The tutors give their time voluntarily; the fees cover premises hire, refreshments, travel expenses for tutors and external speakers and resources such as photocopying.

Are the venues accessible?

Yes, all of the venues we are using are accessible.