One of the frequent topics of discussion in gatherings in “normal” times is getting chaplaincy departments the level of recognition they deserve. Some departments are at the leadership table and seen as important partners in organisational decision-making and action. Others strive for this level of recognition and organisational collaboration. What is the difference? There are many reasons, but one important reason is that the chaplaincy team took the opportunity and rose to the challenge of a difficult situation that taxed the organisation, its staff and patients. A situation like COVID-19. The services delivered in these times are remembered and their impact valued, long after the crisis has passed. With this in mind, Chaplaincy Innovation Lab have prepared this eBook to provide you with ideas and resources to support you in caring for your colleagues, and in so doing, rising to what may be the most important challenge of our lifetimes.
Introduction
In these days of COVID-19, there are those among us who go every day to face the dangers of infection and yet still show up to care for those stricken by this pernicious disease. As chaplains, a significant part of our role in these times is not with patients or their families, but in supporting the care providers. While this has and will always remain a part of our role, it takes on a greater importance as social distancing, infection precautions and regulations prevent many of the interactions with patients and families that are a part of our “normal” day.
A Hidden Opportunity
One of the frequent topics of discussion in gatherings in “normal” times is getting chaplaincy departments the level of recognition they deserve. Some departments are at the leadership table and seen as important partners in organisational decision-making and action. Others strive for this level of recognition and organisational collaboration. What is the difference? There are many reasons, but one important reason is that the chaplaincy team took the opportunity and rose to the challenge of a difficult situation that taxed the organisation, its staff and patients. A situation like COVID-19. The services delivered in these times are remembered and their impact valued, long after the crisis has passed.
With this in mind, we have prepared this eBook to provide you with ideas and resources to support you in caring for your colleagues, and in so doing, rising to what may be the most important challenge of our lifetimes.
To inspire you, we will start with some examples of what is being done in settings across the nation. Then we’ll provide some ideas for specific other activities that you may want to undertake and then some resources to support those activities. Finally, we invite you to join us in looking ahead to the time when the restrictions associated with COVID-19 come to an end.
As always, we want to hear from you about what YOU are doing! Let us know what you have done, what’s worked, what you need help to try … just drop us a line at CILResources1@gmail.com. This is a living document so we will add to it from the ideas and stories that you share with us. Download a copy now but don’t hesitate to come back in a few days and see what’s new!
In providing these resources, we also want to remind you that you cannot fill the cups of others if your own cup is empty. Please take the time to practice self-care. You are important to those you serve and to those you love. Recognise your boundaries. Take the time you need to breathe and restore yourself in the midst of the work, and take time away when you need it. If you need ideas for self-care, we are happy to make a few suggestions here.
Thank you for the difficult but important work you do every day. We are here to support you and know we are in this together.
