大象传媒

At the Foot of the Cross听features inspiring stories of faith, hope and sacrifice, as people have lived through a year like no other.听听
Three people whose lives have been impacted by the pandemic share their different experiences as they reflect on the events of the past twelve months and look ahead towards a brighter future.

David Anderson and Jasper his therapy dog provide hospital support for patients and staff

Hospital Chaplain and Counsellor David Anderson based at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, spent the first wave of the pandemic on the wards carrying out end of life calls with patients. The heart-breaking reality faced by many families unable to say goodbye in person was extremely difficult but determined staff connected loved ones remotely via phone and video calls, staying after their shifts to ensure the patients weren鈥檛 alone.听For David, it was the care provided by his NHS colleagues in such challenging circumstances that really stood out , saying 鈥渢hings that stay with me are the love and care of the staff but also I think I鈥檝e seen fear like I鈥檝e never seen before in patient鈥檚 eyes鈥�.听听
For many, it鈥檚 much more than a job. David has witnessed first-hand the 鈥渢he love and compassion of staff who gave everything and continue to give everything, not just of their profession but of their humanity". But after a year, David鈥檚 role is changing as healthcare workers begin to process what they have seen and heard.听 He鈥檚 been on hand to support his colleagues throughout but now recognises the extent of the trauma faced by NHS staff, many of whom have experienced flashbacks, anxiety and night terrors. Without an outlet to share their experiences, a major part of David鈥檚 role is to provide , mental health support听 and counselling to colleagues, he says, 鈥淚鈥檓 busier now than I鈥檝e ever been during the pandemic鈥�. But David isn鈥檛 alone in his work, he has a companion in the form of a cockapoo called Jasper, that David trained as a therapy dog.听 Jasper is a source of comfort for staff and patients alike. He听 provides cuddles and support to those who are in need. 鈥淛asper鈥檚 very empathic and will notice when the staff are struggling or upset and he gives them that permission to be quiet and express their emotions.鈥澨�

Etornam Azar remembers her mum Edem, a respiratory nurse who passed away from COVID-19

Etornam Azar lost her mum Edem to COVID-19 in 2020. Formerly a nurse at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, Edem had taken early retirement to spend more time with her grandchildren. She made the decision to return to work at the hospital to assist with the pandemic, a choice of great personal risk and making the ultimate sacrifice for those who needed care. Etornam says听 her mum had a 鈥渢rue calling鈥� to assist and explains that听 鈥渁 pandemic for her is where she was needed most鈥�.听Edem returned to work at the hospital to support her colleagues as caring for people was such an enormous part of her life. 鈥淪he did that with pure dedication and entire love for her patients.鈥� Her faith was also extremely important to her, playing a big part in all that she did. For Etornam, her mother was a 鈥渢rue example鈥� of how to live out that faith, giving everything to care for others.听
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Lichfield Cathedral lights up with 鈥榟ope鈥� and provides vaccinations to thousands

When news of a vaccine broke in summer 2020, the Dean of Lichfield Cathedral, The Very Reverend Adrian Dorber, was quick off the mark, calling his local health centres to offer the cathedral as a vaccination hub.听Lichfield Cathedral had already gained attention on social media at the beginning of the first lockdown with a light installation by artist in residence Peter Walker, projecting the words 鈥楾hank You NHS鈥�, as well as 鈥楬ope鈥� written in rainbow colours on the walls of the building.听The cathedral is now one of a number of UK cathedrals, transformed into a vaccination centre, with over 7000 people vaccinated there already. The Dean acknowledges a sense of the continuation of tradition in using the building in this way. He says 鈥渄eep within the history of Lichfield Cathedral is this commitment to healing鈥� going right back to founding bishop St Chad, who was focussed on curing the sick and whose shrine became a place of pilgrimage. What struck him was the sense of joy as people receive the vaccine many of whom had not left their homes for months. He recognises the hope brought by the vaccine rollout and, for the Dean, the Easter message is all about hope -听 鈥渨herever there鈥檚 healing, wherever human fears are allayed, wherever there鈥檚 chance to lead new life, there is God and there is hope鈥�.听听
You can listen to At the Foot of the Cross on 大象传媒 Radio 2 on Friday 2nd April 2021 at 7pm and it will be available after transmission on 大象传媒 Sounds.听
The two hour concert of music, poetry and interviews, was recorded in lockdown and reflects on the story of Good Friday.

Article written by Catherine听Trewavas