King’s Chaplaincy volunteer celebrates 33 years

06 June 2023 - Sue Gilder has been providing patients, visitors and staff with spiritual support for over 30 years

Sue Gilder, from Chislehurst, is a Chaplaincy volunteer of 33 years at the Trust. She said: “I always wanted to be involved with chaplaincy, and when I retired, I heard that Beckenham hospital, as it was known then, was recruiting volunteers to provide spiritual support. I thought I’d find out more, and 33 years later, I’m still going strong.”

Chaplaincy volunteers provide spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients, families and staff of all faith backgrounds and none. Sue added: “Chaplaincy volunteers can undertake various tasks including ward visits, leading acts of worship, linking with the local community and home visits. We are here for every patient who comes into the hospital, and their loved ones. The support we provide could be a Bible reading or a prayer for those nearing end of life. As I am also a Lay Minister in the Church of England, licensed by the Bishop of Rochester, in emergencies I may be called to delivering baby blessings and be present at ward weddings. We are also here for hospital staff who might be in need of a listening ear.”

After joining King’s as a volunteer in 1990, Sue then moved to Orpington Hospital for communion rounds. After completing a course to help end-of-life patients, she began supporting the palliative care team at the Princess Royal University Hospital. “My role involves speaking with patients and family members who have been referred to the Chaplaincy team for support, Sue said. “I can also help families with bereavement support, funeral planning and lead funeral services for patients who have sadly passed away. It is an enormous privilege to be a source of help to people at the very worst moments of their lives.”

“I have spoken to so many people from all walks of life during my time as a volunteer at King’s, but one encounter will always stay with me: in my early days in my role I was sitting with a young man whose father was dying. He couldn’t find the words to say what he was going through, so I chatted to him about football, and that led to him talking about his father, and how much he would miss him.

“Sometimes I do have to remind myself that there are no right words to say when someone has experienced a tragedy, or received bad news. Being a Chaplaincy volunteer is all about listening carefully, and being with people. One of the biggest challenges is learning how to leave the emotional burden at the door at the end of the day. I usually treat myself to a packet of crisps as a reward after a day’s volunteering!

“The Trust’s palliative care team and Chaplaincy teams are also extremely supportive, and I hope we all make a difference to our patients and their families, and staff, when they need it the most.”