Chaplaincy

The Reverend Stephen Martin – Volunteer Chaplain

“I am a Priest in the Church of England, Diocese of Durham and have been volunteering at the Hospice since November 2022. I am a curate of my Parish which includes Lanchester, Burnhope, Annfield Plain and Leadgate and I am able to volunteer my time at both St Cuthbert’s Hospice and Willowburn Hospice in Lanchester.

The sense of community here and the atmosphere amongst the staff is fantastic. They all get on so well and look after each other.

On a Friday, which is the day I visit St Cuthbert’s, I try to attend the morning handover for the In-Patient Unit and Living Well Centre to find out what has been going on. I’ll then visit the rooms on the In-Patient Unit to see if anyone would like to chat. I wear a clerical collar so most people may see me and identify me as a Chaplaincy volunteer straight away.

My role is to build relationships. Sometimes when I chat to people there is no mention of God or faith. It’s about meeting people where they are at and taking people as you find them.

Perhaps a family just needs a bit of space to vent for a little while and that’s fine, that’s part of my role – to be a listening ear when someone needs it. I know that in my role I can give that bit of time to patients and families, which can really make a difference.

It’s really life-affirming for me to be able to support people at the Hospice.

I hope to remain a Chaplaincy volunteer at the Hospice for as long as I am able to!”

Rosie Evans – Chaplaincy Volunteer

Rosie is one of our Chaplaincy Volunteers and joins us each Wednesday to help support our patients, guests and their families, both in our Living Well Centre and In-Patient Unit.

“I began volunteering in October 2023 and I’ll be here until the end of March as part of my training with Cranmer Hall Theological College within Durham University. I’m training to be a Priest in the Church of England.

I’ve done quite a few placements in the last few years including at University College, Durham University, where I led services and supported those who were part of the chapel community, and in different churches in Durham, but it’s the first time during training that I’ve done anything with a Hospice.

I start my Wednesday with a handover from the In-Patient Unit and Living Well Centre Teams and then I go along to the In-Patient Unit and see if anyone wants to chat. I also pop along to the Wellbeing Wednesdays Group in the Living Well Centre and often join in with the activities there.

My favourite thing is meeting people and it’s a great privilege to be invited into their space.

In my Chaplaincy roles previously, people came into my space and found me, whereas here, I have the privilege of being invited into people’s space, for example, into their room on the In-Patient Unit or into their Wellbeing group. It’s an invite into their lives.

I’m learning lots as I continue to be on placement at St Cuthbert’s, and I’ve learnt that I love volunteering in a hospice setting.

I think I assumed the In-Patient Unit would be less peaceful than it is, a bit like in hospital where people are rushing round all the time, but it’s really relaxed and families often comment to me that it’s so peaceful and calming.

As well as the calming atmosphere, there is also often a lot of fun and laughter within the hospice. The staff are often bringing smiles to the faces of the guests, and this is wonderful to see.

The staff really care about guests who come to the hospice. I’m often mesmerised by what the staff do, they always go out of their way, they always go the extra mile.

I’m also thankful to all of the staff who have supported me as a volunteer. I have been given so much freedom and trust by the team, and work closely with David Mcloughlin, Day Services Manager and Doctor Carole Patterson.

I’ve had so many lovely moments when I’ve been here, speaking with patients and their families. I might have been asked to pray for someone or sing their favourite hymn with them, or just have a chat. There are lots of interactions which I’ll remember.”

Laura Elworthy – Chaplaincy Volunteer

Laura is one of our Chaplaincy Volunteers and joins us on a Friday morning to help support our patients, guests and their families, both in our Living Well Centre and In-Patient Unit:

“I started volunteering in October 2023 and I’ll be here until the end of March as part of my training with Cranmer Hall Theological College within Durham University. I’m training to be a Priest in the Church of England.

I volunteer alongside Reverend Stephen Martin who is the Hospice’s Volunteer Chaplain and my supervisor whilst I’m here. We’ll attend the morning handovers for both the Living Well Centre and the In-Patient Unit, before chatting about our plan for the day. We’ll then head over to the In-Patient Unit to speak with patients and their families and then I’ll pop along to the Dementia Group which takes place on a Friday in the Living Well Centre.

Sometimes it might be a quick hello or a long conversation with someone, each day is different.

I’m learning through my placement here, that sometimes someone just needs you to hold their hand and not speak, it’s not always about lots of talking. You often get a sense of what someone might need when you first meet them.

My role allows me to be there at the hardest and saddest parts of life, but to also offer comfort, help and hope. I hope I can help make things a little bit better during that time.

I think many initially think a Hospice is going to be a grim place which is dark and sad, but I’ve found it to be so much more holistic and focused on life.”

St Cuthbert’s Hospice offer Chaplaincy support for our Living Well Centre and In-Patient Unit. For more information, you can email  familysupportteam@stcuthbertshospice.com or call 0191 386 1170.