Bidding Farewell to Three Long Serving Chaplains

Alan Tyler, Carol Taplin and Michael Marsden from the Chaplaincy team will soon begin a well-earned retirement after their combined incredible journey in the NHS.

The Mental Health & Learning Disabilities team & Chaplaincy teams put together a remarkable event at Ty Siriol, County Hospital recently to celebrate their contribution over the years. 

The Health Board extends a big thank you to all three team members, for their years of service, care, and kindness. They've made a lasting impact with many staff and Gwent residents, and we wish them all the best for this exciting next chapter.

Chaplain, Michael based at Nevill Hall Hospital spoke warmly of their time working on impactful projects and the friendships formed along the way. He's spent his entire career working with hospitals since the early 80s, moving from the University Hospital of Wales, to Prince Charles Hospital and then onto Nevill Hall Hospital.

Michael said: “It’s developed great friendships as well as professional relationships, that sort of friendship has gone on and led to requests for support outside of the hospital context.”

“We've seen a lot of changes over the years. Being the first full-time chaplain in the north was great because it meant that you could establish the department there and put ideas into place."

“It meant that we could develop a team in the north as there is in the south. Nevill Hall is a community hospital, everyone knows each other. Sometimes colleagues think of me like the ‘Vicar of Nevill Hall’. It's always been a lovely community."

From lectures to nurses in USW, working alongside palliative care and memorial. Michael has been heavily involved, being asked to bless marriages and take part in team members’ weddings, a testament to the meaningful connections they’ve built.

Michael's experiences are also documented in his book ‘In the Midst of Life’. He is looking forward to spending more time with his granddaughter, walking his dogs and following his favourite football team.

Lead Specialist Chaplain, Carol based at The Grange Unversity Hospital shared what kept them committed over the years. Starting in 2002 with the health board, she was the only female Chaplain for a while in the team. She also has had a huge part in developments such as the Chill out in the Chapel sessions for staff reaching 8,000 visits before the pandemic to the provision of essential toiletries for inpatients and baby loss pouches for families. 

Carol said:

“My mantra has always been ‘what can I do to help?'. The benefit of the Chill out was that it provided a safe space for staff. I love to make a difference and I get a real buzz when something is improved. When someone's experience is enhanced.”

When asked about retirement Carol shared that in her heart was to get onto the beach and looking at continuing to improve safeguarding standards across the country. 

Chaplaincy Manager Alan started in 1997 as Chaplain at Royal Gwent Hospital moving on to Chaplaincy Manager. 

Alan said: “It was a challenging time trying to develop a consistency of service but gradually over the years my vision was to create a substantive team of chaplains with a sense of ownership. Once we had that team, we looked at things that we could develop.” 

“It's all given us an opportunity to meet with staff in a supportive role. It's been such a joy and a pleasure. Probably the reason I've stayed so long is that we have been so fortunate to have had such a good team of people working together. There's a naturalness about the team and I think because of that the enjoyment of coming to work has been immense.”

Alan will gradually enter retirement after a part-time basis supporting the new team manager for a little while, he is also ready to embrace retirement with plenty of travel plans.

Alan continued:
“I’ve got a little caravan... even next week, the weather’s looking great, so off to Devon! And there's Paris and Prague on the horizon too.”