Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits from the Church of St Cross (Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty) were a regular occurrence for the residents of St Cross Grange care home in Winchester.
However, for the residents’ safety these visits were understandably put on hold. Now, for the first time in over a year, representatives from the local church were able to visit for a Holy Communion service.
St Cross Grange has a lovely connection with the Church of St Cross, not only because for many of the residents who hail from the area, this has been their church throughout their lives. Many residents were baptised, and even married in the church.
Representatives from the church kindly visit for Sunday services and Holy Communion, as well as visiting individual residents where requested. The presence of the church within St Cross Grange has always been a great comfort to residents of faith, and for many who have attended church regularly throughout their lives, the lockdown periods meant having to adapt to this break in tradition.
Staff and residents alike enjoyed the presence of Hilary and Cheryl from the church, who put on a beautiful Holy Communion service. It was as though they had never been away! There was plenty of music and singing heard throughout the home.
As the restrictions begin to lift, everybody at St Cross Grange is excited to re-connect with the local community again, as the residents in particular have missed the presence of local community groups within the home.