New Spiritual Care lead praises “welcoming and uplifting” Hospice
New Spiritual Care lead praises “welcoming and uplifting” Hospice
The new Spiritual Care Lead at St Michael’s Hospice says he couldn’t have wished to join a more caring environment.
Peter Spence has been in post at the Bartestree-based Hospice since the end of February and says he has been made to feel very welcome.
“There’s just something about St Michael’s,” said Peter. “The atmosphere, the environment. It’s so welcoming and uplifting. I’ve already been privileged to meet many patients and their loved ones, as well as our staff and volunteers. These conversations have really underlined to me what a special place this is.”
Peter joins from the Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he was a Chaplain during the pandemic. He replaces Jill Groves at St Michael’s, who retired in December.
Away from work, Peter still has a strong connection to charity through his role managing a community relief hub in Smethwick, Birmingham.
At St Michael’s, one of the many projects lying ahead of him is to further integrate spiritual care into the community, as well as building on the support already offered to those who need it at the Hospice’s Bartestree home.
It’s a role which has become even more vital in light of the Covid pandemic, but Peter says it’s important that people realise the Hospice provides far more than just end-of-life care.
“Many attend our Day Services groups, or they’ll stay with us for symptom control, and then return home,” he said. “Coming to St Michael’s is not necessarily a one-way journey. Of course, by its very nature there’s an end-of-life aspect to it, but there is far more to St Michael’s than that. And that’s not down to the building, it’s down to the people in it.
“Walking onto the Inpatient Unit, one of the most common things I’ve heard is laughter. I think that’s a pretty fitting impression to have had of St Michael’s in my first few weeks, because it’s a wonderful caring environment that often puts a smile on your face.”
More information on our Spiritual Care offering can be found here