Chaplaincy (multi-faith)
Hospitality of the heart—hospitality for the human spirit
The Multi-faith Chaplaincy Team provides spiritual, pastoral and religious care for all patients, relatives and staff.
Being in hospital can be a worrying and anxious time. Patients often tell us—whether they are religious or not—that they have discovered an increased sense of strength, peace and hope by discussing their concerns with a member of the hospital’s Chaplaincy Multi-Faith Team.
Our research into patient satisfaction with the chaplaincy service at Chelsea and Westminster showed that people valued the prayers, spiritual sensitivity, listening, and reassurance offered by the team.
Those working in the hospital regard the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team as a non-partisan ‘listening ear’ and a source of confidential support.
- The Chaplaincy Multi-faith Team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital is a mix of paid, full-time members of staff and volunteers. The core team has representatives from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian Faiths, and the Humanist tradition, who can also access support from other faith communities, including Buddhist, Hindu, Greek & Russian Orthodox, Sikh, and Christian Scientist.
- Patient-centred and patient-led, the team is here for people of different faiths and for those with no religious affiliation or preference. Available and visible around the wards and the hospital generally, the chaplains respect the wishes of those who indicate that they do not wish to be visited.
- Managed within the Directorate of Nursing and Quality, the Chaplaincy Multi-faith Team also provide chaplaincy to patients, relatives and staff of the South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre at 1 Nightingale Place, adjacent to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
- The Multi-faith Chaplaincy Team endeavours to work within the professional ethos and standards of the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy and several members of the team are Board Registered Chaplains.
Core values
We reach out with love and support to those who are unwell or afraid. We are chaplains from the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faiths, and from the Humanist tradition. Our values are:
- Compassion
- Prayer
- Hope
- Spirituality
- Confidentiality
- Listening
- Acceptance
- Care
- Respect for all
We offer a 24-hour service.
What we do
- Work as part of the multi-disciplinary team, offering spiritual, pastoral, and religious care to patients, their family and friends, and to members of staff
- Visit patients on each ward regularly (usually once a week)
- Respond promptly to emergency call out to those dying, those in distress, or when there has been a death in the hospital
- Endeavour to respond to the needs of people with different values, beliefs and lifestyles
- Lead religious services, including the Sunday services in the hospital chapel, hospital funerals, a monthly Memorial Service and the annual Time to Remember for parents
- Offer sacramental support when requested and appropriate
- Engage in teaching and research in relation to spiritual, pastoral and religious care
- Engage in monthly reflective practice as a team, which includes our volunteers, those in training and students on pastoral placement
