Member Article

Oriel Care Home resident is reunited with his former Reverend

A care home in Oldswinford, Stourbridge has reunited one of its residents with a local Reverend after three decades.

Wellbeing staff at Oriel Care Home knew how important Leonard “Len” Passey’s faith was to him and now take him twice a week to St Mary’s Church on Rectory Road to allow him to worship in the community.

Len first met Reverend John Flitcroft at Holy Trinity Church in Smethwick 30 years ago when he was a regular churchgoer. Upon the bi-weekly trips to St Mary’s, Len has been able to re-connect with Reverend John.

“I was both surprised and shocked for all the right reasons to find that Reverend John Flitcroft is now at St Mary’s – I first met him back in in the 80’s - It was very nice to see him again.

“Due to my lack of mobility, I’ve really struggled to make it to any church services. But, thanks to the staff at the home, I am now able to get back into the church way of life.”

Len now attends services on Thursday and Sunday mornings with fellow residents Ronald Garbett, 87 and 84 year old Valerie Whittaker.

“I’ve been attending church since I was five years old,” said Ronald, “I used to go a lot, but unfortunately it was slipping due to ill health.”

Having moved into Oriel Care Home, a 33-bed residential and dementia care home on Hagley Road in January 2023, Ronald was unable to attend his regular place of worship because it was too far away.

Ronald continued, “Thanks to the staff and help from a physiotherapist I am now able to make the journey to church twice a week and this means a great deal to me.”

Activities co-ordinator at Oriel Care Home, Gary Fowkes said, “We recognise the important role religion has played in the lives of our residents.

“We wanted to make sure their spiritual needs were being met and they felt connected - not only to the Church, but also to the wider community.

“Being able to take the residents to and from Church and seeing how much it means to them to be able to pray in their place of worship is a really fulfilling part of my role here at the home.”

For resident Valerie, the church services are also a chance to chat with people from the community, which she looks forward to every week.

“I used to go to St Mary’s many years ago, so it’s been wonderful being able to return and enjoy hearing the prayers and the hymns.”

She added, “I particularly enjoy the congregation ‘get-together’ after the service where we enjoy tea and biscuits – they make you feel so welcome as part of the church and community.”

Reverends John Flitcroft and Anthony Perry, at St Mary’s said, “We give thanks to the residents at Oriel Care Home for attending the services and to the staff who make it possible for them to attend to meet their spiritual needs.”

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