ellenor welcomes new chaplain to the team

We recently welcomed Rev Liz Chapman (pictured above) to the ellenor team as our new chaplain.  At ellenor, spiritual care is an important part of the care we offer families, and is available for anybody.  Our chaplaincy team provide support to families about any spiritual matter, whether religious or not and are there to provide a listening ear, as well as to help discuss the big questions about life and death.

Based at ellenor Gravesend, we caught up with Liz to find out more about her and the role of Hospice chaplain.

How long have you worked in chaplaincy?  I have been an ordained Church of England Priest for six years with three years previous end of life care experience working as Chaplain to the Pilgrims Hospice Canterbury, and as part of the Chaplaincy Team at Maidstone Hospital.  In the dim and distant past I trained as a general and a district nurse, have worked in the control room at Ambulance headquarters and as a hospital administrator.

What are the best parts of your job?  Meeting with and supporting patients and their families coping with life limiting illness.

What is so special about Hospice Chaplaincy?  Having the time to come alongside people, to listen to where they are at the present time, and enabling them to prepare for the next stage of their journey.

What are your plans for the chaplaincy at ellenor?  I hope to increase the number of volunteer chaplains and to introduce the new role of volunteer pastoral visitor.  For Chaplaincy to be a place of support for all our staff as well as for patients and their families.  I am really pleased to be part of the ellenor team and look forward to providing support in any way I can.  The Chaplaincy is here for people of all faiths and those of none, all are welcome.

As a charity, not part of the NHS, ellenor is reliant on the generosity of the local community to be able to provide spiritual care to patients – you can help us raise vital funds by taking part in our new campaign ellenor family feast day on 16 September.  Register now here.