New chaplain Rev Becky Leach on hand to offer spiritual and pastoral support to St Clare Hospice patients

A new hospice chaplain will be on hand to offer spiritual and pastoral support to patients and their families.

Rev Becky Leach has joined Hastingwood-based St Clare Hospice from St Stephen’s Church in St Albans, where she served as the vicar for eight years.

In her new role Rev Becky sits within the hospice’s multidisciplinary patient and family support team, which offers a range of supportive services for those who have a terminal or long-term condition that can’t be cured.

Besides offering spiritual and pastoral support to patients from the East Herts and West Essex areas she will foster connections with other local faith and community leaders.

“I have always enjoyed the pastoral care aspect of my role as a vicar, visiting and spiritually and emotionally supporting people in their homes, care homes, in hospital or at a hospice, and I’ve often wondered about taking on the role in a hospice setting,” she said.

“St Clare puts great emphasis on the chaplain’s role in working with others to provide holistic care to patients, their families as well as the staff.”

On Wednesday July 31 Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Rev Adam Atkinson, came to the hospice to oversee Rev Becky’s licensing ceremony in front of invited guests from local churches and religious groups, St Clare staff and volunteers.