Hospital Room Named Shirley Rose To Honour Dedicated Volunteer

Williton Hospital is over 35 years old. They recently changed the old chapel room near the main entrance, updating it and giving it a new name. Reverend George Carey dedicated the chapel long ago in 1989. He was the Bishop of Bath and Wells then, and later became Archbishop of Canterbury.

The chapel had special features inside. There was a lectern for readings and an oak altar held an embroidered cloth. It was a place for worship where people found religious peace. However, over time, the chapel got less use and became a storage area for various items, slowly losing its original purpose.

Sarah Pearse works at Williton Hospital, which is run by the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. She said the chapel wasn’t being used as intended, as patient needs had changed over time. They wanted the room to be a safe space, welcoming to all beliefs. They asked the League of Friends for help; the League funded the update and approved the plan.

They creatively reused old chapel items. A carpenter named Martyn Lintern turned the altar into a cupboard and made a coffee table. The lectern was repurposed as a plant stand. Exmoor Blinds reused the altar cloth, crafting Roman blinds and using leftover cloth for cushions.

A patient donated his photos, which he took before his stroke. The photos, depicting local wildlife and landscapes, were framed nicely by Friday Print in Minehead. Colleagues and volunteers gathered for the opening, recognizing the importance of finding the right new name for the room.

Sarah asked the League of Friends to pick a name because they donated money for the update. Ultimately, they chose the name “The Shirley Rose Room.” This name honors Shirley Dee, who helped the League for over 35 years and worked at the old hospital. Shirley strongly supported Williton Hospital, assisting with fundraising, volunteers, and organized activities.

Shirley became chair of the League, stepping down in 2018 at the age of 86. Shirley passed away at the hospital, and staff felt honored to care for her. Christine Bye, a volunteer leader, said Shirley helped the hospital a lot, and everyone knew and liked her very much. Shirley even recruited Christine as a volunteer in 2000, easily getting people involved because people couldn’t refuse her requests, and she inspired others.

Shirley organized church events and ran exercise classes for Age UK, carrying great energy and doing so much for the community. Sharon Stone saw a need for the chapel and wanted a space for everyone – staff, patients, and families – to relax in a multifaith setting. Sharon asked the League to name the room, and they chose “Shirley Rose,” a rose flower of that name, to honor Shirley Dee’s memory.

Marilyn Hill, chair of the League of Friends, is proud of the room, liking how they reused the old items to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere. They also considered “Shirley’s Room,” but Shirley didn’t want fame and kept awards hidden away, making the Shirley Rose Room feel like a good choice. Shirley and Don helped Marilyn’s mom by giving her rides to church every Sunday, a kindness that meant a lot. Shirley was truly a remarkable person who inspired hospital volunteers, working quietly and helping many, leaving everyone with lovely memories of her.