22 October 2024
A chapel at Princess Royal Hospital has been transformed into a multi-faith space for patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), which runs Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford, is committed to meeting the needs of its diverse communities. As well as investing in growing the chaplaincy service to become a multi-faith team, the Trust is also creating spaces where people of all faiths and beliefs are welcome and supported.
The new multi-faith space at PRH is now in use, with similar multi-faith space at RSH, which opened in July. There is also a multi-faith space at Hollinswood House in Telford, which is home to the county’s first Community Diagnostic Centre.
The terms “chapel”, and “prayer room” were previously used to describe this room, which is now known as a multi-faith space. Patients, the people important to them, relatives, volunteers and members of staff are encouraged to use the room as both a quiet and reflective area, but also a place for conversations and relaxation.
This change in title is more than just a simple change in semantics, it reflects an accessible space which is open to everyone. It encapsulates the journey of making the Trust more inclusive, recognising the diversity of colleagues and patients. It recognises the needs of people with faiths, beliefs and world views to have a place to reflect and practise mindfulness.
Lead Chaplain Patrick Aldred and his team met with the Staff Psychology Service to discuss the need for colleagues to have access to a space to meet, which wasn’t a staff room or the canteen.
The multi-faith room is also a place where cultural events can be celebrated, such as Pride or South Asian Heritage month.
Kevin Place, Chaplain and Chair of the Multi-faith and Belief Staff Network at SaTH, said: “It was fantastic to celebrate the multi-faith room opening with so many friends. We hope that everyone who visits will find peace, comfort and some time for themselves, even in the most difficult days.”
Hayley Flavell, Director of Nursing, said: “We want all our patients, visitors and staff to feel supported and included, and our chaplaincy team have done a fantastic job in transforming this space.”
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