Over the past seven months St Stephen’s Church in Redditch has been regularly present on Ward 12, a dementia ward at the Alexandra Hospital, offering music as a simple but powerful way of meeting people where they are.
This is led by Worship Director Joshua Williams, who plays a mixture of worship and classic pop songs.
Joshua said:
“This came about thanks to a visit from the hospital chaplaincy team led by David Ryan. They suggested that instead of expecting these people to somehow get to church, church should go to them - reflecting the way Jesus consistently met people in the places and moments of their everyday lives. This was a very timely visit as we had already been praying about my role extending beyond our church walls, what that might look like and where to focus our efforts.”
He added: “I wasn’t sure what to expect the first time I visited the Alex, but I felt confident of being led by God. We have been careful to ensure this ministry is not about evangelising but doing whatever Jesus wants us to do in that space.”
Josh has had previous experiences of engaging with people with dementia. “The experts say that while dementia patients may not remember you or what you did, they’ll often remember how you made them feel. For many patients, recent memories fade, but songs rooted deep in life’s earlier chapters often remain, so music is a really powerful tool for unlocking memories and taking people back to happy times in their lives.”
This was demonstrated to Josh the first time he visited the ward. He said: “I was playing ‘Stand by Me’ by Ben E. King. The ward was quiet and I decided it wasn't being well received and was just about to stop and pack up when a nurse who had been called over by an older lady turned to me and said: ‘She wants to know, are you taking requests?’”
As the weeks have gone by, the presence has naturally extended beyond the original dementia ward. Nurses have invited the music into other parts of the hospital, recognising its impact on patients, visitors, and staff alike. Doctors and nurses now greet familiar faces, and there is a growing sense that this is a shared effort to lift spirits in a demanding environment.
Back in December Josh was also asked if he could do some carols for a volunteer event they were having (pictured). 
Josh said: “This ministry has been really rewarding. I see it as very similar to doing church. It's fellowship and being lifted in spirit. It’s just it’s a more sensitive and secular space.”
The team at St Stephen’s Church are now starting to consider whether they could do anything more at the hospital in the longer term.
“It has been interesting chatting to some of the hospital staff who are enjoying the worship songs. We’re wondering if we could maybe also fill a gap here and be a church for doctors and nurses who have irregular shift patterns for example.”
For now, the focus remains on listening, praying and continuing to show up – trusting that God will shape what comes next.
Photo credit: With thanks to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust for the photo
