ST Luke’s is continuing its growing network of support for Sheffield’s South Asian communities throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
And that includes providing special packs for patients and clients who will be celebrating the traditional festival of Eid in isolation.
“Since the lockdown, we have been supporting our community through regular phone calls, spiritual care and bereavement services,” said our Community Engagement Worker Naureen Khan.
One of the most popular of St Luke’s community engagement initiatives has been Gup Shup Club which, until the start of lockdown was meeting on Wednesday mornings at Clifford House.
“I have been calling our Gup Shup group to keep them informed about changed services and created a group for them on WhatsApp so they can still have a group chat,” said Naureen.
“We are teaching them to download Zoom too so we can have Gup Shup meetings online.”
In addition, Naureen has sent out activity packs containing materials to create Eid bunting and also craft books which can be used to log memories of the lockdown and Eid 2020.
“This year Ramadan has been very special because of our current circumstances and it will be a very different Eid that marks the end of Ramadan, since the Mosques are closed and family gathering are not allowed,” said Naureen.
“We will have to celebrate from a distance and I am encouraging clients still to celebrate in their own homes, make an effort dress up and send us pictures and the delicious food everybody will serve to immediate family.
We have also been working in partnership with Roshni Resource Centre and St Mary’s Bramall Lane to provide Ramadan food parcels to the Asian community’s most needy and vulnerable.
“I have also been talking to local imams and Muslim chaplaincy team to support the community,” said Naureen.
“Since the lockdown we have been supporting patients and families in their hour of need with funerals and bereavements.
“And with Eid coming up this weekend everybody at St Luke’s and Clifford House would like to wish everybody a happy Eid!”
(Our picture was taken at the 2019 Clifford House Eid celebrations)