NHS/Keyworkers commemorative bench, plaque and tree event : 22 November 2021
In December 2020, Council approved a motion proposed by Councillors Susan Moore and Richard Marbrow to set aside funds to enable the purchase of a specially commissioned bench for placement in the memorial garden in Shaw Town Centre, in the style of the recently commissioned benches to commemorate the VE and VJ memorials in 2020 to be dedicated to the memory of those lost to the pandemic who lived in Shaw and Crompton.
The Environment Committee took the lead on this proposal and approved expenditure in relation to a bespoke commemorative bench along with the planting of an oak tree and associated plaque.
Thereafter, the Events, Promotions & Grants Committee with support from the Clerk made the arrangements for an event to take place to which NHS staff/healthcare professionals were invited to attend.
All of the above came to fruition on Monday the 22 November which saw the ‘unveiling’ of the bench in Shaw Memorial Park, Westway by Ward Sister Rachel Diskin and Ward Clerk Alyson Hopkinson (Royal Oldham Hospital) who had treated COVID patients and supported their relatives and friends throughout the pandemic (and continue to do so).
In the absence of Council Chair Councillor Berry, Vice Chair Councillor Hamblett welcomed the NHS Staff and invited them to be the first people to officially sit on the bench, which affords a direct view of the oak tree and commemorative plaque.
Sister Diskin recounted her and Alyson’s own experience on the COVID ward and explained how she had recently taken on a role of Professional Nursing Advocate :-
“I worked as a Sister through the pandemic. Coming back from maternity leave at the start of February 2020 was a bit of a shock with the impending pandemic. Through the pandemic, we had days where at times we couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, but as a team we supported each other and got through it together. We were extremely lucky to be supported by the public with donations and well wishes. There were extremely sad days, and despite being professionals, it was hard at times to maintain our emotions within the situation we were faced with. But as well with the sad times, there were extremely happy times; for example when we clapped our patients out when they stepped down to the ward.
As a team we worked together to not only support each other, but to be a helping hand and a listening ear.
Alyson was pivotal during the pandemic, as our ward clerk she supported the multi-disciplinary team, ensuring that the Unit was supported through the provision of the paperwork being kept up to date and supporting the Unit movements, as due to the vast amount of covid patients, we had to move ward and open new units due to patient demand and patient safety.
Due to the pandemic, the Chief Nurse and NHS England developed the Professional Nursing Advocate (PNA) role at the start of 2021 – a version of this role is already seen in the midwifery sector. The PNA role is aimed to support nurses by training key staff to be able to facilitate restorative supervision for their colleagues and teams. I took this role on as I felt that following the pandemic, it’s such a vital aspect which is needed to support our colleagues. Completing the Professional Nursing Advocate role gave me the training to further my skills to be able to listen and support my colleagues through the means of restorative supervision”.
On behalf of the Parish Council, Councillor Susan Moore responded with the following expression of gratitude to the NHS staff/keyworkers:-
“I was very pleased to support Councillor Richard Marbrow in devising a motion for Shaw and Crompton Parish Council to propose the installation of this bench, the planting of this tree and this event. That was just over twelve months ago in October 2020, when we were all recovering from the shock and trauma of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our proposal was underpinned by a number of emotions: firstly, gratitude.
Gratitude for key workers within and beyond the NHS and social care system, who worked tirelessly and at great personal risk to treat and to care for those effected by this brutal disease. In expressing our gratitude, we also acknowledge the sterling work of all those who ensured we were fed, and that both the lights stayed on and our fires kept burning during those difficult days.
We also felt the acute sadness of those who had lost loved ones as a result of the virus, and we were driven to help those people feel a little less lonely and isolated by providing a public place and creating a public space in which to remember and reflect, outside of perhaps crowded private space.
The unintended cruelty from the impact of the public health measures meant that, for some, mourning became an increased solitary process at that time, and we wanted to help ease that a little. We acknowledge the stress and trauma felt by families and keyworkers very directly, but also more indirectly by those impacted by things that didn’t happen during the times of restrictions. We hope this place serves as a place to come and decompress if needed, when needed.
All this is symbolic of how your Parish Council strives to support you, and everyone in our local communities in Shaw and Crompton, and beyond at times, and tries to make life a little bit better and a little bit easier.
It is very pleasing that you could make it today, to join us in this act of remembrance, reflection and gratitude. Thank you for coming”.
Parish Council Vice Chairman Cllr Louie Hamblett (right) welcomes Ward Sister Rachel Diskin (middle) and Ward Clerk Alyson Hopkinson (left) of the Royal Oldham Hospital to Shaw Memorial Park.
Ward Sister Rachel Diskin (right) and Ward Clerk Alyson Hopkinson (left) – the first people to ‘officially’ sit on the new bench.
Councillor Susan Moore delivers her speech of gratitude to Rachel and Alyson.
Representing the Parish Council (l – r) Tony Hilton (Clerk) and Councillors Richard Marbrow, Joseph Beeston, Susan Moore, Louie Hamblett and Hazel Gloster.
