Chaplains are part of the care team in the Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Trust.
Respect, Integrity, Equality and Enabling are core values of the chaplaincy service, which seeks to ensure that the spiritual and religious needs of service users, carers and staff are recognised and addressed in the provision of care.
Each person in the chaplaincy team maintains their own faith and spirituality, usually through membership of a faith group, which enables them to journey alongside others in their experience of mental health problems.
Spiritual resources are increasingly being recognised as important on the journey to recovery and the maintenance of healthy living.
Chaplains are able to offer support to service users and carers in a variety of ways:
A Listening Ear
Chaplains will listen to you and try to understand what is important for you. If they can assist you in meeting particular needs they will do so, or suggest others who might be able to help.
Working with All
Chaplains are happy to work with anyone who wishes to use their service. Chaplains are usually ministers of religion, trained in providing spiritual and pastoral care, but you don’t have to be religious or hold any particular beliefs in order to speak with them.
A Quiet Place
At most of the Trust’s hospital and residential units, a place is available for quiet reflection and prayer. Arrangements for worship services can be made at most sites.
Making Contact
If you are in hospital or residential care and would like to see a Chaplain, please let your nurse know and an appointment will be made for you. If you are at home, or wish to make direct contact with the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Team, then please use the details below. Representatives of many faiths and denominations are available to visit patients in hospital and the Chaplains will be glad to arrange this when necessary.
In Confidence
Like other staff, Chaplains will respect your right to privacy and confidentiality. They will not share information you give them with anybody else, without your permission, unless your health and safety is at risk.
In Partnership
As well as working with other staff in the Trust, Chaplains also have links with groups in the community, e.g. local churches and faith organisations. They will be glad to assist you in making contact with such groups if you wish.
Spirituality Steering Group
The Trust has a Spirituality Steering Group, to co-ordinate and advise on issues of spirituality and mental health. The group meets on a monthly basis and many of these are open to anyone interested in learning and discussing the importance of spirituality for mental health.
Contact Details
Senior Chaplain: Rev Bill Bazely
tel: 01603 421203
email: bill.bazely@nwmhp.nhs.uk