Our new chicks bringing virtual joy from our Chapel
Something exciting took place in the chapel at our Children’s Hospital this month; our annual Easter Chickwatch.
First launched in 2017, over the Easter period we incubate and hatch chicks as part of a Spiritual Care project for our patients, staff and visitors.
This project aims to give children, families and staff the opportunity to see new life birthing in the hospital and in doing so, bring hope. It also offers the opportunity for reflection on a number of different aspects of our lives at the Children’s Hospital; a perfect activity for Easter.
Ruth Radley, honorary chaplain, said: “This will be our third year of hatching the chicks and it is truly something which just grows every year.
“When the project first began, we were truly surprised by how much people love the chicks.
“The chicks serve as an educational tool for us too, often there may be a chick that is too weak to survive and this enables us to have conversations with children around loss.”
One very important element of the project is the chicks’ welfare. We ensure after hatching that all of the chicks go to a good, loving home, which we arrange before we start incubation. We also make sure they get plenty of rest when being visited too.
Our chapel will be closed over Easter, in line with COVID-19 (coronavirus) guidance, so while we won’t be having in-person visitors to our chicks, you can check in on their progress via our social media channels.