The Foundation of Stand Alongside
At Stand Alongside, we believe that no one should have to face life's most difficult moments alone.
Our ministry was founded on a simple but deeply held conviction: that sometimes the greatest gift we can offer another person is not having all the answers, but simply being willing to walk beside them with compassion, dignity and hope.
Whether someone is facing bereavement, illness, loneliness, family difficulties, uncertainty or another season of struggle, our desire is to provide a safe, respectful and compassionate pastoral presence that reflects the love of Jesus Christ.
We believe that genuine pastoral care begins by listening before speaking, understanding before advising, and standing alongside people rather than trying to take control of their journey.
Our Calling
Stand Alongside is an independent Christian pastoral ministry founded and currently led by Michael Parnell.
Our ministry is rooted in the example of Jesus Christ, who consistently met people where they were, treated them with dignity, and walked alongside them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Our purpose is not to replace churches, charities or professional services, but to offer compassionate pastoral support while working alongside those already serving our communities.
Our Commitment
Every person who contacts Stand Alongside will be treated with dignity, compassion and respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, age, ethnicity, gender or life circumstances.
We are committed to creating an environment where people feel heard, valued and supported without judgement or pressure.
Our aim is not to tell people what to do, but to walk alongside them with kindness, encouragement and hope as they navigate difficult seasons of life.
Knowing Our Limits
We believe that good pastoral care requires humility as well as compassion.
Stand Alongside provides pastoral support, listening, encouragement, practical assistance where appropriate, and prayer when welcomed.
We do not provide counselling, psychotherapy, medical advice, legal advice or emergency services, nor do we seek to replace the work of healthcare professionals, counsellors, social workers, emergency services or other specialist practitioners.
Where an individual's needs extend beyond the scope of pastoral support, we will always encourage and, where appropriate, assist them in accessing the most suitable professional or statutory services.
Recognising our limits is not a weakness—it is part of caring responsibly for others.
Accountability and Good Practice
Stand Alongside believes that ministry should always be exercised with integrity, transparency and a willingness to learn.
We are committed to safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and responsible pastoral practice.
As the ministry continues to develop, we remain committed to strengthening our governance, accountability and professional relationships so that those who place their trust in Stand Alongside can do so with confidence.
We believe that accountability is not simply about policies and procedures, but about demonstrating honesty, humility and responsibility in the way we serve others.
Working Alongside Others
Stand Alongside believes that the best care is often provided when people and organisations work together.
For this reason, we seek to build positive relationships with churches, charities, healthcare providers, hospices, care organisations and community groups, complementing rather than replacing the valuable work they already undertake.
Our desire is not to compete with existing services, but to be another source of compassionate support within the wider community.
Our Promise
We cannot promise to remove every burden.
We cannot promise to always have the answers.
We cannot promise that life's journey will suddenly become easy.
But we can promise this:
That every person who contacts Stand Alongside will be welcomed with kindness.
That every conversation will be treated with dignity and respect.
That we will listen before we speak.
That we will work within the limits of our role.
That, wherever possible, we will help people find the support they need.
And that we will strive, in all we do, to reflect the compassion, humility and hope of Jesus Christ.
Because no one should have to walk through life's darkest moments alone.
That is the foundation upon which Stand Alongside has been built.