Farewell to Chaplaincy Volunteer The Rev’d. Philip Wagstaff
At the end of July 2020 Crewkerne hospital kindly hosted a small tea party as we had to bid farewell to chaplaincy volunteer The Rev’d. Philip Wagstaff.
Philip who is also the Methodist minister for South Petherton and Crewkerne has for the last 2 years been an extremely helpful asset to the chaplaincy team for Community and Mental Health. In addition to having vast experience of working in parishes, Philip brought his enthusiasm and curiosity to learn about working for the NHS, a very different organisation to his own. Exploring the difference between parish ministry and healthcare chaplaincy has been very helpful to me. I hope it has made me more sensitive and aware of what my colleagues who work for religious organisations experience and be realistic about our expectations we place on religious leaders working in parish settings.
Philip has predominantly offered spiritual and pastoral support to patients in our community hospitals. He has also been available to staff and families who needed a chance to talk to somebody who is able to hear complex and painful stories, but is not intricately linked to the ward. Latterly Philip became more involved in providing Spiritual Care within Mental Health. Especially during the pandemic he provided telephone support to various individuals, offering people a chance to voice their worries, allow them to pause and reflect. Philip’s particular gifts include his kindness, his humour and being a musician. With these attributes he was able to engage with people who struggle to express themselves with words.
Philip writes about his experience of being a chaplaincy volunteer:
“The last time that I was part of a Chaplaincy setting in hospital was when I was a Student Minister at Theological College in Birmingham in the early 1980’s. Part of our training was a placement at the Dudley Road Hospital which we went to once a week for a term.
When Robin asked me to consider being part of the Chaplaincy team I went back to those days in my mind. What I found at thisTrust though was a chaplaincy with a contemporary approach, with an attitude to providing integrated care, both for community and mental health services. With the guidance of Robin and Kate I was able to learn about Chaplaincy within this Trust, with its emphasis on listening and responding to the many expressions of spiritual care voiced by patients and staff.
This is a different way of working as a Methodist Church minister and the time spent at the hospitals has been both rewarding and challenging. I have been able to spend time with people where I have gained new insights into different aspects of spirituality and care through numerous conversations. Robin and Kate have been great mentors and friends and it has been good to be part of the team of chaplaincy volunteers and chaplaincy advocates within the Trust.
I would like to thank Robin and Kate and also the many members of staff who have gently guided me when I needed it, especially when I was feeling my way into the role! Thank you all.
My work now takes me to Hastings where I hope to be able to continue to volunteer within NHS Chaplaincy if the opportunity arises. May I wish everybody well in your various roles within Somerset NHS Foundation Trust!â€
Thank you Philip, you have given generously of your time, your expertise and your compassion. We will miss you greatly! We also wish you well for the future and your new position in Hastings. May you discover many new wonders!
Written by The Rev’d. Robin Pfaff, Chaplaincy Team Leader for Community and Mental Health, Somerset FT.
