Simmies Spotlight: Supporting the NHS and Local Communities

In the third instalment of the Simmies Spotlight, we look at some more stories of Simmies supporting the NHS and their local communities as the country enters the third week of the Coronavirus Lockdown.

Heroes of the NHS

Alumnus of the Foundation Degree in Practitioners in Healthcare Ethics, Theology and Care at St Marys, Alfred Banya was recently featured in the Sunday Times for his work in the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic. Alfred, a Catholic Deacon, is leading a multi-faith chaplaincy team at a hospital in London. The article, titled Heroes of the NHS, talked to Alfred about his work providing spiritual support to patients being treated for Coronavirus.

Tom Grennan: Helping his Communities

Alumnus of Drama St Mary’s Tom Grennan has been supporting those most in need in his local communities. Tom, who’s first album Lighting Matches debuted at no 5 in the album chart, recently released a new single This is the Place ahead of his upcoming album release. He has been helping his local food banks deliver food and walking dogs for those in need in Bedford and Shoreditch to make sure people don’t go without and get the help they need.

Physiotherapists Supporting the NHS

Alongside their online lecturing, the Physiotherapy team at St Mary’s have been helping the NHS. They have been sharing their knowledge with NHS trusts through providing academic materials to help upskill NHS physiotherapists in intensive care units, in particular their cardiorespiratory expertise. Head of Health Sciences at St Mary’s Gill Horgan said of their help that it was “A great example of the university demonstrating how, in these unprecedented times, our staff are helping society at large.”