Chaplaincy holds week of reflection after 100 days of Covid-19

A week of reflection was held across the Trust from Monday 29 June to mark the loss of the first patient to Covid-19, and to mark the courage and endurance of NHS staff in response to the pandemic.

Everyone was invited to look ‘behind the mask’ and take time out to reflect on the effect of Covid-19 on their working and personal lives.

Hospital Chaplain, Louise Grosberg, explained: “For staff, patients and relatives Covid-19 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but unlike a fairground ride it has been unremitting and at times felt as if it is never ending.

“Emotional exhaustion and the pain of loss is being felt throughout the Trust. While we have a whole range of wellbeing initiatives to support staff, the week of reflection has been organised to help people acknowledge how they feel. Their courage getting up each day and keeping going, combined with the anxiety for their own family during this time, has affected everyone from the most senior to the most junior of staff.”

During the week the Trust provided extra team support and drop-in psychological wellbeing sessions as well as highlighting what support is available to staff. There was a reflective art exhibition in the hospital corridors and an online exhibition for people to follow.

Members of the public were invited to join staff at the Trust for a two minutes silence which were held outside the front of York, Scarborough and Bridlington hospitals. There is also a service of reflection conducted by the chaplaincy team available online for anyone to view.

Louise continued: “We hope the online service of reflection will help anyone who needs a bit of support at the moment or just the acknowledgment of their loss or suffering. The Covid pandemic has severely affected our usual rituals such as funerals and memorials and this can leave people with a huge sense of loss. We would like to bring people together to reflect on what we have all been through in the last three months and to help people find a way forward.”

The week of reflection culminated in the 72nd anniversary of the NHS on 5 July when the Trust is saying their thank you to the public.

03 July 2020