Devon Wellbeing Hub Chaplain officiates wedding for care home colleague

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in News, Recovery and wellbeing on 21st March, 2023

Ian Williams, Deputy Lead Chaplain, Community, was honoured to recently officiate a wedding for a colleague he supported while working at the Devon Wellbeing Hub.  

Sarah Palladini, who is team lead at Garden House Residential Care Home in Torquay, met Ian four years ago when he came to minister and support the residents. Unfortunately, Ian had to stop his visits during lockdown, but 18 months later he returned when he started working for the Devon Wellbeing Hub. In the autumn of 2021, the Hub’s dedicated team of Chaplains launched drop-in sessions for care home staff across Devon. They had become aware that a lot of colleagues working in care homes had struggled during the pandemic and the Hub reached out to help.

As part of his role with the Hub, Ian used to visit Garden House Residential Care Home to offer pastoral care. He provided a safe space for staff to talk about things they were finding difficult. He would listen without judgement and would work with colleagues to boost morale and think of a way forward through any problems they were facing. 

Sarah said: “As a team, we were really busy and dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19 so we all really appreciated Ian coming back to offer support. He’s very approachable and people were to drawn to talking to him.”

In one of her 1:1 sessions with Ian, Sarah mentioned her and her fiancé, Steven Humphreys, planned to get married but didn’t know when or where.

Steven said: “After being together for 10 years, we started to discuss marriage - I never do anything in a rush! Sarah always used to come home from work saying how much Ian impressed her, so she decided to ask if he would like to officiate our wedding. He was honoured and after several meetings together our relationship with Ian grew.

“Our wedding day was absolutely beautiful. We got married just before Christmas at Riveria Life Church in Torquay. Ian shone. He did a service that was tailored to us - personal and low key. It was loving and our guests all said the same thing. The service and Ian just absolutely made the day.  

“We then returned to the church two weeks later for Christingle. Ian preached again and it truly touched us. Now we go back every Sunday! The church feels like home – we’re even being baptised on Easter Sunday. Ian has really changed our lives. I can’t speak highly enough of the gentleman.”

Ian said: “It was an honour and real privilege to be asked to be part of Sarah and Steven’s special day. It felt lovely to be able to offer support and make a difference to someone’s life at work, and now in their personal life too.”

Get in touch:

The Devon Wellbeing Hub’s team of Chaplains are trained to handle pastoral care issues that arise in a person’s day-to-day life. They provide a listening ear and emotional support to colleagues from all cultures, traditions and faith backgrounds, as well as those who have no religious beliefs. Chaplains work with colleagues on a one-to-one basis and offer a fresh perspective on a range of life issues, such as stress, loneliness and bereavement.

If you work in healthcare, social care or the police in Devon and are interested in our chaplaincy support, the Hub’s Colleague Wellbeing Practitioners can discuss your needs and make a referral on your behalf. Please get in touch by calling 0300 303 5455, email dpt.devonwellbeing@nhs.net or fill out the simple referral form on the Devon Wellbeing Hub website.

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