Chaplaincy

The chaplaincy team will do all they can to make sure that your religious needs are met during your stay in hospital.

They will also keep prayer books and scriptures from multiple faiths which can be provided if asked for – to find out where these items can be located, please refer to the ‘multi-faith prayer rooms’ section.

Christian resources

Basildon

Communion - spiritual or Holy Communion is available upon request.

Christian prayer and worship - Monday to Friday, 8am to 8.30am and Wednesdays 12pm to 12.30pm in the Sanctuary.

Broomfield

Christian prayer and worship - Monday to Friday 9.15am and 12noon.

Communion - takes place on Tuesday and Wednesdays at 12noon. It is also available on Sundays at the bedside on request for both Roman Catholic patients and for other denominations. Communion can also be made available during the week.

Roman Catholic Mass - takes place on a Friday (once per month) at 12.15pm.

When appropriate, transport can be made available to help patients to attend midday services.

Gideon new testaments - are available on all inpatient wards and other prayer and worship resources can also be loaned.

Southend

Christian prayer and worship - Evening prayer on Sundays at 4pm.

Holy Communion – takes place on Thursdays at 9.15am in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, located on the 2nd floor of the Cardigan building. Holy Communion is also given at the bedside on request.

The Holy Eucharist (Church of England) - Mondays and Days of Obligation at 9.15am.

All services are non-denominational, and all are welcome to attend.

Islamic resources

Basildon

Islamic prayer and resources - copies of the Qur’an, along with prayer rolls and ablutions facilities are available in the Sanctuary.

Jumm’ah Prayer – hosted in a designated room (see whereabouts list in Sanctuary) between 1pm and 2pm.

Broomfield

Islamic prayer and resources - Copies of the Quran, along with prayer mats and shawls can be made available for the wards on request.

Jumm’ah Prayer – hosted in the Faith centre on Fridays at 1.15pm (separate facilities are provided for women’s prayer at this time).

Ablutions room - to prepare for Islamic or other prayer; along with prayer mats and other resources. The Qu’bla direction is indicated in the ceiling of the Faith Room.

Southend

Islamic prayer and resources - Muslim Friday prayers are regularly held in the prayer room.  At Britannia House the HR Meeting Room is set aside as a Prayer Room most lunchtimes.

Jewish resources

Basildon

Kosher cupboard located outside the Sanctuary, access by contacting the on-call chaplain or the security office.

Broomfield

Supplies to support patients or relatives celebrating a Shabbat meal on Friday evenings are available on request from the Faith Centre.

Southend

Copies of the Hebrew bible are available at the Chaplaincy Suite.

Each hospital has facilities that staff and patients can use if they wish.

Basildon

The multi-faith prayer room can be found on Level C by the restaurant and is a quiet space for all (religious and non–religious) to use for reflection, prayer or just for a few moments of peace.

The chaplaincy office is at the back of the Sanctuary, please knock to ask for any resources you may need.

Broomfield

The Faith Centre is found by proceeding from the atrium’s main reception to the end where the lifts or stairs can be taken to the second floor. Turn right as you leave the lift or stairs and you can find us located in A209.

Built in 2010, the Faith Centre is both a spiritual space and administrative centre for chaplaincy at Mid Essex.

The stained-glass windows were designed by Sasha Ward to echo the architecture of the new building and along with the remaining space provide a restful and quiet setting for all to come aside and use 24 hours a day all year round.

There is a separate quiet space just outside the Faith Room as well as offices for the chaplaincy team.

Southend

On the second floor of the hospital is a beautiful chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. The chapel is open for private prayer and meditation, and services are regularly held there.

There is also a prayer room for those of different faiths, together with washing facilities for Muslim Friday prayers.

In the Chaplaincy Suite is where all resources can be found.

Chaplains work alongside other hospital staff to provide a ‘listening ear’ in times of sorrow or joy as well as pastoral support when facing distressing news.

We are available to talk or just listen to your hopes and fears, joys and concerns, and will support you confidentially in whatever way is appropriate.

Remembrance books

Please contact your local chaplaincy team for information regarding remembrance books for adults and babies.

Baby memorial service

Services are provided for those who have suffered baby loss whatever your belief. Please contact the chaplains for details.

Remembrance service

On the Friday nearest to Remembrance Sunday, a Service is held at 10.55am to remember those who have died in conflict.

Since the Pandemic, we have been holding the Act of Remembrance on Armistice Day itself – the nearest Friday (as stated above) would only be necessary if Armistice falls on a weekend.

Prayer requests

Requests for prayer can be given to the Chaplains or recorded in the Faith Centre. The chaplains pray regularly for those in the hospital.

Prayer tree

There are prayer trees in all three hospitals and leaves provided for you to record your message of love and remembrance.

Other support

You may also wish to contact the bereavement team for further support – to find out more, visit the the general bereavement services page or bereavement support for losing a little one.

There are some great opportunities available across our trust, and chaplaincy offers some very special ways for you to volunteer.

At Basildon we run annual training courses over seven weeks in the spring, consisting of two-hour sessions once a week. These sessions are open for anyone of faith or no faith, and those who can commit to volunteering once per week for two hours (ideally but flexible) between the hours of 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Please email us if you are interested.

The pastoral, spiritual and religious care of patients and their families is a Trust responsibility and all staff are encouraged to call on the support of the chaplaincy team when the need arises. This might include:

• support when receiving bad news
• blessing a baby
• religious or non-religious support at the end of life
• an emergency marriage service at the end of life

Personal staff support

There can be times when our personal circumstances, or challenges with our work, mean that we can become anxious.

A confidential listening ear that is outside the situation can often be helpful.

The chaplaincy team across our trust can also provide support for bereavement both when this is a family member or colleague. We have experience of arranging both religious and non-religious memorial services if requested.

Staff can also seek help from the occupational health team and/or the psychotherapy team counsellors.

Our chaplaincy team are happy to facilitate visits from local faith group leaders.

If you are interested in this, please get in touch using the contact details below.