On Tuesday 23 March 2021 there will be a minute's silence and a national doorstep vigil as part of a day of reflection to mark the anniversary of the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown.
Marie Curie has outlined the plan for Tuesday, which will see a minute's silence held at 12pm in memory of those who have died in the pandemic. They are also encouraging the public to light up their doorsteps that night at 8pm.
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, has supported the initiative; and prominent buildings and landmarks will be illuminated across the UK.
Here at the Trust, we will be lighting up our hospital buildings and publishing a special edition of Weekly News on Tuesday. Our chaplaincy team will also be holding a 24-hour vigil this coming weekend to mark the anniversary.
Please feel free to join in with the planned activity or take a moment to reflect on the last year in your own way but please ensure it is done so safely and within current lockdown guidance.
If you would like to take part, please stay at home and do not travel to the hospitals or anywhere else to take part. Get the whole household involved and do it from the safety of your doorstep!
A Vigil for Solidarity
To reflect on the past year, there will be a 24-hour vigil in the chapel at the RLI from Saturday 27 March at 2pm to Sunday 28 March at 3pm.
The purpose of the vigil is:
- Solidarity and Reflection and Remembrance
- Praying for each other and the Trust
- Looking forward together
The Chaplaincy department, with the Christian Medical fellowship, is hosting the all-night vigil of solidarity that will focus on key moments of the past twelve months - month by month - and hopes for the future. Each hour will be allocated a month from the past year and repeat, so that every month can be remembered twice.
Any colleague - regardless of faith and belief - is welcome to contribute and/or take part by registering to attend, submitting requests for thoughts, prayers and remembrance. They could have a moments silence and/or light a candle at home at a particular time that matches a particular month that was important for them.
To find out more, please view this video from Ian Dewar, Lead Chaplain.