For 15 years, the Spiritual Healthcare team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has been offering pastoral, spiritual and religious support to patients, families and staff during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Led by the Revd Adrian Woodbridge, the team has recorded more than 116,000 encounters since it began tracking its work in 2011, including support for patients, relatives, hospital staff and parents experiencing the loss of a baby.
Spiritual Healthcare is available to people of all faiths and beliefs, as well as those with no religious faith. The team provides prayer, pastoral care and a listening ear for those facing illness, bereavement, uncertainty and difficult decisions.
Among the most sensitive aspects of the team’s work is supporting families following baby loss, offering pastoral care, help with funeral arrangements and opportunities for remembrance.
The team also supports hospital staff, providing a confidential space for reflection and conversation during the pressures and emotional challenges of healthcare work.
While the figures demonstrate the scale of the ministry, those involved say its true significance is found in the people behind every encounter and the compassionate presence offered in times of need.
The Revd Adrian Woodbridge, Head of Spiritual Healthcare, said:
“It is a privilege to journey alongside people at some of life’s most significant crossroads, meeting them with compassion, presence and care. The chapel continues to be a safe and welcoming space for reflection, prayer, comfort and connection, made possible through the dedication of our hard-working and caring staff.
This service is also part of a much longer legacy, built through the commitment of many chaplains over the years. We are honoured to carry that legacy forward and continue to offer spiritual care when it matters most.”
The Revd Canon Darren Thornton, Chaplain, added:
“It is a real honour and privilege to journey with people during life’s most vulnerable moments. Chaplains are there to support patients, relatives, and staff alike through both the extraordinary and the ordinary. No two days or visits are alike, but knowing that God is with us, holding and sustaining us, means that whatever comes our way, with God and God alone, all will be well.
It is a ministry of finding deep satisfaction in simply being present and offering glimpses of Hope and Healing.”
Find out more: www.nnuh.nhs.uk/departments/chaplaincy
Read more here: Hospital Chaplaincy – Winter Prayer Diary 2025 – Diocese of Norwich