Chris has recently joined the hospice as a Wellbeing and Mindfulness Practitioner; he is here to support all staff and volunteers at St. Rocco’s Hospice.
This is a new role so I am currently feeling the way, spending time finding out what will give people here the most support. The hospice has made this resource available for all staff and we want to make it what you would like it to be, whether that’s one-to-one conversations, mindfulness groups or something else that will improve your wellbeing in work.
Chris has a varied and interesting background. He worked in hotel property for 30 years. Following this, he became a vicar for 7 years before working as a hospice chaplain at St. Luke's Hospice. It was during his time here that he learnt about the bereavement model offered by St. Rocco’s and worked closely with Cathy (Senior Patient and Family Support Practitioner) to replicate our model in Winsford to support his local community. When he retired, he began volunteering for St. Rocco’s in the Bereavement Cafés where he heard about this opportunity.
I love listening and, quite often, people find they don’t have the space to talk about what is on their mind. My role will give the staff and volunteers the space and time to talk about how they feel.
As a Mindfulness Practitioner, Chris is passionate about supporting people through mindfulness and is keen to explore whether there is interest in setting up mindfulness groups for staff and volunteers in the hospice.
My initial idea is to set up Mindfulness Moments – a safe space for you to take some time out of your busy day, to turn off the autopilot of our thoughts and behaviours and to concentrate on yourself. It will hopefully give you the chance for your mind to feel refreshed; being in the present moment and trying to ease the pressures of daily life for a short duration. The benefits of practising mindfulness include creating new thoughts and habits, and studies have shown that a bi-product of this is a reduction in stress. Mindfulness also helps with natural contentment, improves concentration and can strengthen relationships with each other.
Chris is now working in the hospice and is keen for staff and volunteers to reach out to him and chat about ways in which his role can offer support. St. Rocco’s Hospice is committed to caring for the wellbeing of staff and volunteers and Chris is looking forward to working together to create a beneficial resource that is open and accessible. For more information, please contact enquiries@stroccos.org.uk or call 01925 575780.
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