"How chaplaincy helped with my bereavement"

The bereavement counselling from the chaplaincy service has helped me to come to terms with the passing away of my Nan, mum & brother. We did a booklet where we wrote down fond memories of my family. The chaplain & I stopped talking in between the death of my brother & nan but when she died, I started talking again to the chaplains to receive bereavement counselling again. I would recommend to other patients who have suffered from bereavement to ring and ask the chaplaincy service for bereavement counselling.

The experiences have made my faith in God & Jesus stronger as the chaplains told me that whenever I need God or Jesus I can pray to them. Sometimes whilst praying I feel the presence of God with me. When I have a stressful day, I like to pray as it calms me down.

On the anniversary of my mum’s, brother’s and Nan’s deaths, the chaplaincy service held memorial services in remembrance of them. We played some of their favourite songs at the services and for my brother wrote down memories of how he used to play games with me and teach me how to play a new games console. He also taught me that however badly people treat you, always forgive people even if they treat you like rubbish as they will be the ones who suffer as they never get to say sorry. My brother is a role model & hero to me. He taught me to help others such as the homeless and when I have been out into the community, I have bought food & drink for them.

I found it hard when my brother passed away as he was only 22 but I can always talk to the staff of the chaplaincy service about it if I need to.

The recent documentary on St Andrews Healthcare was very one-sided I think, and focused on the negatives and not positives. I disagreed with what it said as we have good staff, and I felt sorry for them watching as they couldn’t defend St Andrews Healthcare. St Andrews Healthcare has helped me comes to terms with why I am here and they support me by giving me the treatment I need. Therefore, I am thankful to basically the whole hospital.

Sometimes staff don’t seem to care but the majority do & we should focus on those people more.

I know that if I ever need to speak to chaplaincy I can book an appointment with them & they will come as soon as possible.