6 ‘We’re here for everyone’... meet the spiritual care team breaking barriers Imam Rashid preparing for Friday prayers at RFH Sitting at the very heart of the trust, the chaplaincyspiritual care team provides support and care for our patients, staff, volunteers, and visitors across all our sites. The team shared how there’s more to their work than meets the eye, from challenging expectations to championing patient and staff needs. What it means to be an RFL chaplain “My role as head of chaplaincy-spiritual care is incredibly diverse,” said Reverend Claire Carson. “I’ve worked as a healthcare chaplain for over 17 years across London and I often use the phrase ‘expect the unexpected’. “Chaplaincy-spiritual care is all about connection, being human, being alongside people at often the toughest moments of their lives and respecting who they are. It’s about holding space for people to tell their stories, express their emotions or sit in silence. We do this by encouraging compassionate, non-judgmental care whilst being respectful of diversity.” “I’m motivated by a strong desire to help people and my community,” said Imam Rashid Ayyub. “I’ve been working in education and religious and spiritual care in the NHS for 40 years and joined the Royal Free London in 2001. Having spent much of my career supporting my local Muslim community, I believe nothing is as helpful as providing spiritual care to those who are suffering.” Zahrah Awaleh, Muslim chaplain, added: “I wanted to work in spiritual care to support marginalised people in the healthcare system and help close the ethnic minority health disparity – and I think that’s what chaplaincy can do.” “The chaplaincy-spiritual care team is a special environment in which to work,” said Catholic chaplain Andrew Brookes, who began working at the RFH in 2022. “There’s a common commitment to patients and human values such as respect, compassion, listening and love. We’re very respectful of each other and often have interesting discussions about our work and our faiths.” Rabbi Indigo Raphael has worked in the NHS almost 20 years and says the chaplaincy-spiritual care service can be prone to myths: “People can think we’re only here to support people of faith but we’re here to support everyone on their unique journeys. Each chaplain brings their own background, traditions and culture. I think we create a model for society reflecting how to work collaboratively and respect one another. It’s so enriching.” “I still get surprises every day,” said Claire. “You can’t predict what will come up – whether that’s responding to emergency calls or marking a significant life event. But the pure joy and delight about my role is that I get to meet and be a part of every department in the trust.” The team provides many rituals and ceremonies, including baby funerals, baptisms and marriages. Last year, the team officiated around 15 weddings and over 100 funeral services. Claire said: “Chaplains hold a lot of emotion in the work we do. Creating open and safe spaces where people can talk about death and dying is so important, for staff and patients. If we as healthcare professionals can talk about death and dying, it can really transform how we care for patients at the end of life.” We’re here to support everyone on their unique journeys “ “
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