After 39 years since joining our Trust and enjoying a variety of roles, our much loved Reverend Alison Horncastle retires today (Friday 23 April).

During her time with us, Alison has seen a lot of change but explained how one consistent feature has been the “amazing people” she has worked with.

In 1982, both of Alison’s daughters started school which meant she had more time on her hands. This is when she started her journey with us as a healthcare assistant at Oldchurch Hospital.

It was during one shift when Alison was sent to an operating theatre, which led her to the next chapter of her career. After being asked to sit with and hold the hands of patients who were having procedures under local anaesthetic, Alison was “hooked” on the new environment. She then applied to join the Theatres team permanently and she spoke fondly of her time in this department.

“My time in Theatres was great. I worked with so many lovely people, who were happy to teach me as I developed. While looking after and caring for patients was and always will be the main focus, we also had a lot of fun together and spent many times laughing; usually because the team were playing pranks on me!”

After a few breaks away from our Trust, it was eight years ago when Alison started her journey with our Chaplaincy team. Alison said: “I initially joined as a volunteer and loved it. One of the chaplains then left, so I applied for the role and the rest is history, as they say.

“In my eight years as a chaplain, I have laughed and cried a lot. The past year has been tough during the pandemic but I feel extremely privileged as patients and colleagues have let me in, welcomed me and have been so grateful for my time, even though they may be experiencing dark moments.

“Apart from the patients, one of the great things about being a chaplain is building relationships with our staff. There are so many I have supported, chatted to and prayed with, while for some I have sadly conducted their funerals or memorial services. I want to thank you all for the teaching, sharing and trust you have placed in me. I also want to thank my fellow chaplains and our Bereavement team for all of their love and support.”

Alison is looking forward to her well-earned retirement but she will certainly be keeping herself busy, as she explained:

“I’ve loved my time at this wonderful Trust but the past year has made me realise I want to spend more time with loved ones. My husband and I are moving to the coast and I cannot wait to keep busy and doing what I love at the wildlife centre. Bird watching, nature watching, walking and exploring areas we’ve not seen before are just a few things on my list!”

Philip Wright, our lead Trust chaplain, has shared his thanks to Alison, who he described as “everyone’s friend and everyone’s chaplain”.

He said: “Alison has been a rock to the department and also to me personally. She knows absolutely everyone and is loved everywhere she goes. She has been a phenomenal chaplain and has loved being out and about on the wards; in fact getting her to sit at her desk has been a challenge as she is always supporting people!

“She really has been a thread that has run through our Chaplaincy team and she is going to be missed so much. I wish her all the happiness in her retirement but I know we will keep in touch.”

While our Trust looks very different now compared to when Alison walked through the doors at Oldchurch Hospital in 1982, she said “the caring, dedicated colleagues who work every day to make a difference remain”.