Residents at HC-One’s The Beeches care home in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester have been using technology to connect with their local Reverend so that they can still take part in regular church services.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, Reverend Trevor Green from St John’s Church is unfortunately not able to make his usual visits to the home and Residents have missed him dearly. However, he came up with the incredible idea to record regular short services that the home can watch online.
On the third Thursday of every month Colleagues organise church services in both lounges of the home that any Resident is welcome to attend. Each month, Trevor chooses a theme for the service and Residents are invited to watch his video.
Home Wellbeing Coordinator Sade assists in the services and Trevor supplies her with bible readings and prayers that she can read to the Residents. He even provides hymn music and lyrics so that everyone can sing along.
Ann, a Resident at The Beeches, said: “I look forward to the monthly services. They mean so much to me and my faith and she does such a wonderful job of delivering the service to us.”
Sade has noticed that over time more Residents who wouldn’t usually attend have been joining in with the services as a way to generate hope and faith throughout lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic.
The Beeches Resident Muriel commented: “The service is nice. I haven’t met the people of the church yet but I am very thankful that they provide Sade with this service for us at the home.”
The virtual services have been very well received by Residents and will continue as long as lockdown restrictions are in place. To thank St John’s Church for all their effort, The Beeches has reciprocated by collecting food parcels for the Tameside East Foodbank.
Wellbeing Coordinator Sade said: “The church service is something I was happy about keeping within the home as it means so much to the Residents during this difficult time. It’s been so good to keep it going.”