The Contribution of Church-Based Networks to Social Care in the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond: The Case of Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa in Brazil

Abstract: The Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa (PPI) is a national voluntary movement linked to CNBB (the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil) comprising about 2500 volunteers, who offer guidance and support for well-being to more than 170,000 older people throughout Brazil. This paper analyses the results of a data gathering exercise designed to gain an overview of the scope, support needs and international transferability of the project in ‘normal’ times and during the coronavirus pandemic. A telephone questionnaire comprising 21 questions was launched nationally among PPI volunteers over a single week in May 2020. The dataset (n=3888) was subjected to exploratory statistical analysis and key findings collated around three guiding questions. The central findings were, first, that the composition of the body of volunteers is changing , requiring changes to training and support; secondly, that the model may be exportable to other middle-income countries in which the Catholic Church does not have the same dominance over the culture, as long as a national organising structure is in place; and finally that the speedy and flexible response of PPI to the coronavirus pandemic suggests that this type of NGO will have a role in response to future national crises.