Patients and staff at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) and Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) are to benefit from the expansion of the chaplaincy service to include volunteers who are being trained to give much needed support.
A nine-week training program is being rolled out across EPUT, in the latest group there are twelve volunteers from different religious and cultural backgrounds enrolled on the course.
Once the training is complete, and subject to successful interviews, the volunteers will support the chaplaincy service at Basildon Mental Health Unit, St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, The Derwent Centre, Harlow and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.
Patients frequently look to hospital chaplains for support during times of need or in a crisis. The chaplains’ work as part of the hospital’s team of doctors, nurses and other therapists to help comfort patients, provide spiritual support or just a listening ear.
Lead Chaplain for EPUT, Reverend Paul Walker said: “The chaplaincy volunteers are an invaluable resource in bringing hope and encouragement to all, as well as meeting specific spiritual, cultural and religious needs. There is an increasing demand for chaplains in our hospitals and there are not many of us to go around. The volunteers will be of great help to us and more importantly to our patients and the staff who care for them. As chaplains, we offer support to people of various faiths and also to those with no faith at all. Sometimes being in a hospital environment leads us to reflect on our life experiences. Some people may just need a friendly face to brighten their day and we will be there to give as much help as we can. We are also looking for more volunteers across the whole area, so if you are interested, please get in touch.”
Chaplaincy volunteers will be expected to make a minimum commitment of a few hours in the morning or afternoon at an agreed time once a week and to attend organised training. Volunteers will be allocated to a ward or wards on a regular basis.
If you are interested in volunteering for the chaplaincy service, please contact Reverend Paul Walker, EPUT Lead Chaplain, The Chaplaincy Department, St.Margaret’s Hospital, The Plain, Epping, Essex, CM16 6TN.
Tel: 07974 988 572 or email: [email protected]