Wall of Hope, located in the chapel at the Valley Regional Hospital (VRH).

By Lesley Anne Johnston

The spring of 2020 was a difficult time in Nova Scotia. Grief swept the province and settled in as a series of tragic events occurred following the early days of COVID-19.

The Wall of Hope is located in the chapel at the Valley Regional Hospital (VRH). Created by a few members of Team Lavender, a group of inter-disciplinary professionals who support the well-being of those who work at the site, it has become a safe place for health care workers to express and experience their emotions.

As a result, the Wall of Hope was awarded the 2021 Making Waves Outstanding Contribution Award. This award honours the work of an exceptional physician, employee or team in their daily delivery of service to others.

Q&A with:
Debra Orton, coordinating chaplain, VRH, Team Lavender member
Sharleen VanRoessel, infection control practitioner, VRH, Team Lavender member
Alex Marcia, Manager, clinical nurse educator, VRH, Team Lavender member

Congratulations on receiving the Outstanding Contribution Award! Tell us a bit about the Wall of Hope.

“Team Lavender is our coordinated response team that is made up of spiritual care, nurses, physicians, managers and administrative staff, amongst others,” said Debra Orton, coordinating chaplain, Valley Regional Hospital.

“We help individuals and teams through traumatic situations by providing support via debriefs. Myself, and two other members, Alex and Sharlene, met in the chapel one day. We saw the blank wall and we had this idea.”

“It was a very emotional time,” added Alex Marcia, manager, clinical nurse educator.

“Our neighbours and community members lost their lives. Many were mourning and feeling hopeless. At first, it was just a heart in the center of a blank wall. Then, we invited everyone to paint their hands and place them around the heart. It took on a life of its own.”

“Many felt they were doing something helpful,” said Sharleen VanRoessel, infection control practitioner at Valley Regional Hospital.

“Inclusivity was important. We chose rainbow colours to ensure representation of all values and beliefs. We just facilitated. It was the people and teams that brought it to life. We’ve never seen the hospital so united.”

How do you feel it has contributed to the health and well-being of staff and Nova Scotians?

“It became a safe place for people to support one another,” said VanRoessel. “People came every day to sit in silence. By being able to do that, we had hoped they were able to return to their workplace a bit more at peace.”

What does it mean to you, to receive the Outstanding Contribution Award?

“Very humbling,” said Marcia. “We didn’t realize it would have such a big impact.”

“If we can touch just one person’s life or make a small difference – then we’ve really accomplished something,” added Orton.

“We just want our people, our staff and physicians to know and feel that they are loved, cared for and valued by us, the whole organization and those they serve. I think we’ve done that with the Wall of Hope and that means everything.”

Congratulations to Team Lavender on receiving the 2021 Making Waves Outstanding Contribution Award. Their efforts created a welcoming space for those who needed it during an unimaginable time. This strengthened patient care, team morale and Nova Scotia Health as a whole.