I joined the Chaplaincy team in 2017 as a Chaplaincy visitor. I saw a notice on a wall when I came along to an outpatient visit with my husband. I thought yes I would love to do this…..so I went to the volunteers office and applied. As soon as I walked in the Chapel.. I knew this was for me.
I now visit 4 wards Nettleham (postnatal) ward, Neonatal Unit, Rainforest (inpatient paediatrics) and Ashby (rehabilitation medicine) ward . So two wards are prominent in baby care and I spend time with parents be it in sad circumstances as well as joyful ones.. I embrace these times.
In Oct 2018 we had a display in front of the Chapel as it was Baby Loss Week. I spoke to many ladies…. we shared tears & stories. I felt privileged to be there at this time. A lady came and made a donation. We chatted and she remarked on the size of the baby resting nest. I spoke of the times I used to make small christening gowns.
The next day I received a bag which had been left for me in the Chapel.. and inside a note which said "Can you make anything out of this ?" I took it home in excitement and knew what to do. This was the time I’d been waiting for ..it became crystal clear…..for Our Angel Babies.
I stripped the dress down and started a baby nest, made some cuddle blankets and some dresses. It felt amazing and very therapeutic. To take that dress apart and have beautiful fabric for our Angel Babies. It started whirlwind of donated dresses once I had shared some pictures on our trust’s Facebook group. I was so grateful for our nurses & staff and even more so, we were all in this together to help parents in the worst time of their lives.
I embrace that at least our beautiful Angel Babies have the best for parents to remember their beauty and have a memory to keep which they can treasure. I have made lots of baby items since including a Moses basket in the Mortuary.
I can only say "thanks" for all the support from the nurses, our lovely chaplains for their encouragement, our bereavement midwife for delivering items to the right places and the mortuary team for allowing me to "make a difference" there too.
We can all make a difference...If you have an instinct to do something…..DO IT...and never look back and you’ll fly.
Just like me..
Rose Doughty, Chaplaincy Volunteer
Further information on this amazing service please contact Sharon Kidd, Patient Experience and Pals Manager at ULHT [email protected]
