Course and Placement Fees: PG Healthcare and Hospital Chaplaincy
I am looking for funding support to complete my training in Hospital and Healthcare Chaplaincy. I am currently in the process of becoming a Qualified Hospital Chaplain with UKBHC & NHS at Guys & Thomas’ Hospital in conjunction with London South Bank University. The funding that you graciously provide will be used to cover course fees, travel expenses and course related resources (books).
What is a Hospital Chaplain?
Hospital chaplaincy, at its core, covers three main aspects of supplementary patient care; pastoral, spiritual, and religious. The knowledge and experience required to deliver this care to the highest standards has been built up over time by the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC) who, in conjunction with the NHS, now define a clear list of competences and standards for chaplains. The main objective of the UKBHC is to ensure that chaplains are trained and fully equipped to provide this crucial facet of care within the healthcare sector which can be invaluable to patients.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, most patients are not permitted visitors during this uncertain time. However, as part of the chaplaincy team, I am able to visit patients, liaise with relatives or friends, and provide much needed support and social interaction. We also support our NHS colleagues, who often have an increased questioning of spiritual and themselves require pastoral care.
What is needed:
Course Fees: £3,800
Travel Expenses: £1,800
Books/Course resources: £1,200
TOTAL: £6,800
My story...
In January 2020, I had an accident and broke quite a few bones, requiring several weeks of hospitalisation, operations and recovery. I had often thought about Lay Hospital Chaplaincy but had, until then, never had the time or opportunity whilst working full-time to explore further.
The period of time I spent in hospital in a ward with a variety of people and circumstances had a profound effect on me. Whilst there, many situations presented themselves that made me consider what God was saying. I was determined, to return to full health, and with some surgery, much love, support, and care from those around me (and the skill of many talented health care professionals!) I am succeeding.
After spending six months getting better, strengthening my back, and healing bones, I was ready to return to work. However, it transpired that my contract of employment would not be renewed in summer 2020 due to funding and COVID-19 pandemic. This presented me with a unique opportunity to really consider what my next steps were. With my personal experiences, as well as a global pandemic, I felt it was the right time to pursue my calling which had been stirring within me ever since my experience of hospitalisation. I applied and was accepted onto a formal Post Graduate Course with Guys and Thomas’ Hospital and London South Bank University to become a Qualified Hospital Chaplain (UKBHC & NHS).
In September 2020 I began my course, and in November 2020 my chaplaincy placement. My placement consists of 2 - 4 days a week in an NHS Hospital setting (for a minimum 400 hours), and 2 days a week of home study for the academic side of the course. I have a part-time job in a local shop to support myself, however, this is not always reliable and sometimes may only be a few hours a month, and it is proving difficult to find any other work to support myself.
Unfortunately, my post-graduate course does not enable me to apply for any student finance from the government. I am really enjoying my course and placement, but with not much paid employment since July 2020, I am seeking assistance with placement expenses (travel) and course fees. It is a rewarding and fulfilling role, one that I feel aligns with my calling, and I feel privileged to be able to be part of a great chaplaincy team.
I feel that I am ready to offer what support I can to others both spiritually and practically and, to do this as effectively as possible, I believe I need to invest in myself in the form of this unique training opportunity in order to gain the clear knowledge and experience required to do so. This is why I humbly ask for your support to help me on my journey towards my calling to serve those most in need.
I am looking for funding support to complete my training in Hospital and Healthcare Chaplaincy. I am currently in the process of becoming a Qualified Hospital Chaplain with UKBHC & NHS at Guys & Thomas’ Hospital in conjunction with London South Bank University. The funding that you graciously provide will be used to cover course fees, travel expenses and course related resources (books).
What is a Hospital Chaplain?
Hospital chaplaincy, at its core, covers three main aspects of supplementary patient care; pastoral, spiritual, and religious. The knowledge and experience required to deliver this care to the highest standards has been built up over time by the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC) who, in conjunction with the NHS, now define a clear list of competences and standards for chaplains. The main objective of the UKBHC is to ensure that chaplains are trained and fully equipped to provide this crucial facet of care within the healthcare sector which can be invaluable to patients.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, most patients are not permitted visitors during this uncertain time. However, as part of the chaplaincy team, I am able to visit patients, liaise with relatives or friends, and provide much needed support and social interaction. We also support our NHS colleagues, who often have an increased questioning of spiritual and themselves require pastoral care.
What is needed:
Course Fees: £3,800
Travel Expenses: £1,800
Books/Course resources: £1,200
TOTAL: £6,800
My story...
In January 2020, I had an accident and broke quite a few bones, requiring several weeks of hospitalisation, operations and recovery. I had often thought about Lay Hospital Chaplaincy but had, until then, never had the time or opportunity whilst working full-time to explore further.
The period of time I spent in hospital in a ward with a variety of people and circumstances had a profound effect on me. Whilst there, many situations presented themselves that made me consider what God was saying. I was determined, to return to full health, and with some surgery, much love, support, and care from those around me (and the skill of many talented health care professionals!) I am succeeding.
After spending six months getting better, strengthening my back, and healing bones, I was ready to return to work. However, it transpired that my contract of employment would not be renewed in summer 2020 due to funding and COVID-19 pandemic. This presented me with a unique opportunity to really consider what my next steps were. With my personal experiences, as well as a global pandemic, I felt it was the right time to pursue my calling which had been stirring within me ever since my experience of hospitalisation. I applied and was accepted onto a formal Post Graduate Course with Guys and Thomas’ Hospital and London South Bank University to become a Qualified Hospital Chaplain (UKBHC & NHS).
In September 2020 I began my course, and in November 2020 my chaplaincy placement. My placement consists of 2 - 4 days a week in an NHS Hospital setting (for a minimum 400 hours), and 2 days a week of home study for the academic side of the course. I have a part-time job in a local shop to support myself, however, this is not always reliable and sometimes may only be a few hours a month, and it is proving difficult to find any other work to support myself.
Unfortunately, my post-graduate course does not enable me to apply for any student finance from the government. I am really enjoying my course and placement, but with not much paid employment since July 2020, I am seeking assistance with placement expenses (travel) and course fees. It is a rewarding and fulfilling role, one that I feel aligns with my calling, and I feel privileged to be able to be part of a great chaplaincy team.
I feel that I am ready to offer what support I can to others both spiritually and practically and, to do this as effectively as possible, I believe I need to invest in myself in the form of this unique training opportunity in order to gain the clear knowledge and experience required to do so. This is why I humbly ask for your support to help me on my journey towards my calling to serve those most in need.
Organizer
Eleanor Puttock
Organizer