Cowal U3a – You Never Quite Know What Awaits: Tales of a Hospital Chaplain

Hospitals are places of extraordinary contrasts: laughter and sadness, the everyday and the unexpected, quiet conversations and moments that stay with you for years. David Rushton spent part of his working life as a hospital chaplain in London, meeting patients, families and staff at times when life was rarely straightforward. In this talk, David will share stories and reflections from those years — some amusing, some moving and some rather more thought-provoking. Expect an engaging glimpse behind the scenes of hospital life and into the very human encounters that come with being the person who turns up at the bedside, often without quite knowing what awaits. Hospitals are places of extraordinary contrasts: laughter and sadness, the everyday and the unexpected, quiet conversations and moments that stay with you for years. David Rushton spent part of his working life as a hospital chaplain in London, meeting patients, families and staff at times when life was rarely straightforward. In this talk, David will share stories and reflections from those years — some amusing, some moving and some rather more thought-provoking. Expect an engaging glimpse behind the scenes of hospital life and into the very human encounters that come with being the person who turns up at the bedside, often without quite knowing what awaits. The u3a is a nationwide organisation comprising independent local groups run voluntarily by their members and for their members. Its name derives from its origins in France when it was originally connected with Universities, but this is no longer the case in the UK, although the name has never been changed to reflect this. It is all about participation for pleasure, fun, learning or companionship, and everyone is encouraged to become involved in the groups and the activities. Cowal U3a meets on the last Tuesday of each month between 2pm and 3pm here at the Burgh Hall.