We were very pleased to hear from the Newcastle Hospitals Charity this week. They have been fundraising to set up a wudu facility for staff patients and visitors to the Freeman Hospital
They chose the WuduMate Classic for the wudu area and this has now been installed.
The following case study comes from the Newcastle Hospitals Charity Impact Report for 2023/24, which can be downloaded here
Wuḍu is the Islamic procedure for cleansing parts of the body before prayers and is a vital part of daily life for practising Muslims. The Chaplaincy team at Newcastle Hospitals were concerned that staff facilities for the practice of Wudu at the Freeman were substandard and not in keeping with the Trust’s aim to create a workplace where people feel valued.
The team received a grant for the conversion of an existing storeroom at the Freeman Hospital into an ablution room for use by Muslim staff, patients and visitors. The grant enabled a complete refurbishment of the space including asbestos removal, improvements to the walls, flooring and ceilings, and internal decoration. It is expected that the facility will be used on a daily basis by Muslim staff, patients and visitors.
Katie Watson, Head of Chaplaincy of Newcastle Hospitals said:
“This facility will have a huge impact on the spiritual and theological wellbeing of our Muslim staff, as well as on patients and their relatives. The grant enables us to support, retain and care for our Muslim staff by ensuring that their dignity and beliefs are recognised.”
