New Prayer Room Unveiled at Barry Hospital
A dedicated room for peace, calm and prayer has recently opened at Barry Hospital. The room, called Hafan - Haven, is to be used by staff, patients and family members to take some time out to pause and reflect.
The room was dedicated and commissioned with a series of readings, reflections and prayers in the company of the hospital Chaplains and representatives from Soroptimist International of Barry and District.
Rev. Jason Tugwell, Chaplain at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) said: “We have dedicated spaces for prayer and reflection in most of our hospital sites and we’d had a request from staff and patients to have a similar room at Barry Hospital. With the kind and generous help from the Soroptimist International of Barry and District, we were able to make this wish a reality.”
The room is a quiet and welcoming space, with comfortable seating, prayer mats, kneelers, bibles, prayer books for everyone to use, when they need to find peace.
Soroptimist International of Barry and District helped to provide beautiful stained-glass window film, meaningful photographs to add feeling to the room, along with hand carved religious-themed items to be used for worship. They also provided a selection of different religious literature and kneelers to be used for prayer.
Soroptimist Jackie Memory said: “We have worked closely with Sister Linda on the Sam Davies Ward for a number of years and were keen to support this new worthwhile initiative. Members used their various skills and contacts to furnish the room so that it would be an attractive and tranquil space. The proceeds from the Soroptimist cards on sale at the hospital reception also helped fund Hafan. We are pleased to hear that it is already being used.”
Angela Hughes, Assistant Director of Patient Experience at Cardiff and Vale UHB said: “It is so important that our staff, patients and families have a dedicated space to use to take time to pause and reflect. I’m delighted that this room is now available for people to use and I’d to thank the Soroptimist International of Barry and District for their kind help in making this room such a special place.”
The room is located on the first floor at Barry Hospital and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for those who need to use it.
For more information about Chaplaincy Services throughout Cardiff and Vale UHB please visit: https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/staff-information/staff-benefits/support-networks/chaplaincy/