MHA remembers and give thanks

Residents, members and staff at Methodist Homes (MHA) have been remembered in a special service held by the charity to mark the first six months of the pandemic. 

Since the onset of Covid-19, MHA has sadly lost more than 400 older people for whom it provided care and support and three members of its staff. Colleagues across MHA have been at the forefront of care and support for older people during this most challenging of times, both in its homes and community settings. 

A special service was broadcast to all its homes and schemes on Friday 4 September, and was followed by a two-minute silence and reflection along with the lighting of a candle. Relatives were able to join in through the service being broadcast on YouTube.

MHA Chief Executive Sam Monaghan said: “We felt we needed to mark what has been happening, in particular those we have sadly lost during the first few months of the pandemic and remember their lives. They were members of our extended family.

“We know this has been a difficult time for our homes and schemes, residents, members, colleagues and relatives. Families have often been unable to visit a loved one in person, and places have become quieter as visits and our community activities were paused.

“The memorial service and candle lighting gave us a way of reflecting, to hold everyone in our hearts, give thanks for our colleagues and volunteers who have worked tirelessly, and continue to do so, and remember with dignity those we have lost.”

The service can be viewed at www.mha.org.uk/memorialday and includes a special hymn written by MHA’s music therapists.

In addition, people can also set up a MHA Forever Remembered Tribute in a loved one’s memory, a dedicated page where family and friends can remember someone special. To set up a tribute visit www.mha.org.uk/tribute