The Chaplaincy Team appreciates the diversity of faith and world views within the hospital and community.

Please find a link below to the interfaith network page to see the list of festivals for this year.

https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/religious-festivals 

Below are some photos of festivals and events that the Chaplaincy Team have recognised and been involved with across the last few years:

Ramadan 

The Chaplaincy Team were involved in handing out Asian sweets as part of Eid Mubarak celebrations across the Trust.

Diwali 

In recognition of Diwali, the Chaplaincy Team invited children and young people in the hospital to paint rangoli patterns to decorate the Multi-faith rooms. Staff were also encouraged to visit the Chapels to take part in colouring a section on a larger pattern and take away a tea light to honour the festival of light.

Armistice Day and Remembrance Day

The contribution of military colleagues, and ties between the Armed Forces and NHS are acknowledged within the Trust at special remembrance events every year which the Chaplaincy Team are actively involved in. Event times coincide with the two-minute silence held at 11:00 to remember and honour service men and women. The Trust recognises the contribution of serving personnel, veterans and reservists.

Inter Faith Week 

During Inter Faith Week the Chaplaincy Team invited staff to join them for ‘Coffee and a Convo’ to learn more about developments taking place within the Chaplaincy Team to provide a multi faith service.

Advent 

During Advent the Chaplaincy Team have been involved in a range of activities, these include: publication in the staff newsletter, creating advent wreaths in both multi-faith rooms, introducing advent remembrance trees to remember loved ones and providing carol singing across wards and departments to share Christmas joy.

Children and young people in the hospital were invited to participate in a Christmas drawing competition. Entries were displayed in the hospital Chapels and on Twitter, in the lead up to Christmas. The overall winning image was made into a Christmas card and shared with inpatients across the Trust in the days before Christmas, reminding them that the Chaplaincy Team were available throughout the festive period to support patients and visitors.

Parinirvana 

This is a Mahayana Buddhist festival that marks the death of the Buddha. It is also known as Nirvana Day. Buddhists celebrate the death of the Buddha, because they believe that having attained Enlightenment, he achieved freedom from physical existence and its sufferings. To celebrate and raise awareness the Chaplaincy Team invited people to write names of people important to them who had died to remember them throughout the week in the Chapels.

Easter 

In 2022 the Chaplaincy Team collected donations of Easter eggs throughout March to provide support to local families who needed a little help from the Easter Bunny. A total of 84 Easter eggs and treats were donated and shared with: Telford Crisis Support Food Bank and Shrewsbury Food Bank. More recently, the team have created an Easter Egg Hunt around the hospital sites and have given out free Easter eggs.

Shavuot 

Flowers serve as a reminder of the Spring harvest and that when the Israelites arrived at the base of Mount Sinai, they found it blooming with flowers and greenery.

In recognition of this Jewish festival, children and young people on the Children’s Ward have made flower decorations to help decorate the Multi-faith rooms.

Khordad Sal 

Khordad means perfection and it is customary on this day to visit the Fire Temple to give thanks.

Thank you posters were displayed in each Chapel and staff were encouraged to place a note onto the sign to identify what they are thankful for. Members of staff participated, giving thanks for the teams they work with, family, friends, health and a range of aspects important to them.

Harvest 

In recognition of Harvest, and celebrating the food and crops grown across the land, the Chaplaincy Team collected donations of groceries during September 2022 to provide support to local families who needed a little help. A total of 111 items were donated and shared between Telford Crisis Support Food Bank and Shrewsbury Food Bank and were very much appreciated.

Queen’s memorial 

In recognition of the Queen’s memorial books of condolence were made available to staff in each of the hospital Chapels throughout September 2022, to enable them to pay their respects and commemorate the Queen.

The Queen’s funeral was broadcast in each Chapel on the 19^th September 2022, and additional Chaplaincy cover was made available to support patients, visitors and staff who would benefit from additional pastoral support.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday 

The UK Sikh Healthcare Chaplaincy Group visited both Chapels on the 9^th November 2022 to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday, the founder of Sikhism. The shared prayers were for the wellbeing, recovery, and good spirits of people in the hospital and seek to promote links between the NHS, Gurudwaras and the local Sikh community.

Inter Faith Week 

During Inter Faith Week in November 2022, the Trust hosted a range of speakers to help strengthen relationships and understanding of diversity between people of different faiths and beliefs. The Chaplaincy Team shared their journey of improvement, highlighting services they provide across the Trust. Further sessions were held daily throughout the week incorporating speakers on the Baha’i, Roman Catholic, Muslim and Humanist beliefs. Speakers helped to increase awareness of simple steps that can be taken to improve patients experience of care when in our hospital.

Armistice and Remembrance Day

The contribution of military colleagues, and ties between the Armed Forces and NHS were acknowledged within the Trust at a special remembrance event. The Trust recognised the contribution of serving personnel, veterans and reservists.

Members of the Trust participated in raising awareness of veterans within the NHS and the work taking place within the Trust to be veteran aware.

Advent 

During Advent the Chaplaincy Team were involved in a range of activities, these include: publication in the staff newsletter, creating advent wreaths in both chapels, introducing advent remembrance trees to remember loved ones and providing carol singing across wards and departments to share Christmas joy.

Children and young people in the hospital were invited to participate in a Christmas drawing competition. Entries were displayed in the hospital Chapels and on Twitter, in the lead up to Christmas. The overall winning image was made into a Christmas card and shared with inpatients across the Trust in the days before Christmas, reminding them that the Chaplaincy Team were available throughout the festive period to support patients and visitors.

Lunar New Year 

The hospital Chapels shared information and a display for staff to learn about Lunar New Year traditions in a range of countries. Calligraphies were made available for people to take away with them, as is traditional, to bring good luck for the year ahead.

Holocaust Memorial Day 

On the 27^th January 2023, the Chapels at both sites participated in the lighting the darkness initiative, burning candles to remember those who were murdered for who they were and to reflect that they stand against prejudice and hatred today. Information and resources were made available to inform people visiting the Chapels and raise awareness.

World Interfaith Harmony Week

Between the 1^st and 7^th February 2023, the Chaplaincy Team celebrated World Interfaith Harmony Week through hosting stands outside the staff restaurants and in the hospital Chapels. Members of the Chaplaincy Team engaged members of staff and people accessing the Trust, sharing information on Chaplaincy Services, raising awareness of multifaith provision.

Ash Wednesday 

On the 22^nd February 2023, short services were held and led jointly by Anglican and Roman Catholic Chaplains. Patients across the Trust had an opportunity to be visited within clinical environments. Services were held, enabling staff to attend at the end of their shifts.

Gathering 

10^th March 2023 marked the date that the World Health Organisation officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In remembrance of this date, a short service was held in each of the hospital chapels. The gathering was held to remember the sacrifices made by staff, and those lost directly or indirectly from the pandemic. Recognition was also given to the sacrifices staff make every day to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our population.