The Hospital’s Chaplaincy Team is part-funded by the Stars Appeal. This enables a chaplain to be available to patients and their families 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Time spent in hospital can be full of uncertainty and anxiety for patients and their families. The Chaplaincy Team offers a service of ‘being alongside’ patients, their families and staff, to offer religious, spiritual and pastoral support for people of all faiths and none.
How the Stars Appeal makes a difference:
- Ensuring a hospital Chaplain is available for patients whenever needed
- Religious, spiritual and pastoral support for people of all faiths and none
- Support for bereaved families
- Enabling bedside ceremonies
- Supporting staff through talking, meditation, mindfulness, relaxation and quiet reflection
Patient Stories
“More heartfelt thanks if I may please to your wonderful Chaplain, Frances, who kindly arranged, at very short notice, for Fran and I to renew our marriage vows. Again, thank you to everyone who made this extremely special moment possible.”
Mark Turner, Amesbury
“During a routine antenatal appointment, my wife and I were given the heart-breaking news that our second daughter had passed away. During that incredibly distressing period, the chaplaincy at Salisbury Hospital were amazing and were always on hand to provide us with spiritual, emotional and practical support. Words cannot express how grateful we both were to have the chaplains in the hospital and for all they did for us throughout, including giving baby Lilia a beautiful and dignified service.”
Liam Thornhill, Durrington
“The support of the Stars Appeal means we can offer a more wide-reaching and personalised service. We can also run weekly sessions in the chapel for meditation, mindfulness, relaxation and quiet reflection for staff. And we’ve completely reconfigured the chapel to ensure it’s a welcoming space for everyone.
We support patients just as they need it. I recall the young woman whose condition prevented her from attending chapel services. On Christmas morning two chaplains and a CD player took the service to her, so she and her family could all sing the carols she loves. Or the young man requiring high-risk surgery that looked likely to delay his marriage. We helped arrange for the couple to have a civil ceremony on the ward and a blessing in the chapel with their family and friends.”
John Detain, Lead Chaplain