
I’m still shocked from only watching half of the Panorama programme broadcast on Wednesday revealing the abuse of patients inside a hospital for vulnerable adults. The footage of treatment by abusive staff at Whorlton Hall was sickening to watch as patients with autism and learning disabilities were mocked, taunted, intimidated, provoked and physically restrained by staff, who it seemed took perverse pride and delight in the inventiveness of their (until recently) undetected cruelty. Sixteen members of staff have been suspended and the hospital is now closed.
At this point I’m reminded of those working in the care sector who are genuinely loving, thoughtful, professional, respectful and caring of those in their charge. In 2017 I worked very briefly for a care provider and learned so much from people who saw it as their ‘calling’ to provide at times intimate care for the weak and vulnerable. I had the privilege of working alongside people who daily toileted, cleaned, dressed and fed the people they supported.
Artur, originally a teacher in Poland, could only find work in the UK as a support worker. He survived on the minimum wage, whilst working a challenging 40-hour week contract including weekends and evenings. He joyfully approached difficult sensitive jobs such as wiping bottoms, changing colostomy bags etc. He was under constant scrutiny by his managers but was motivated and fulfilled because he believed he was making a difference to people’s lives. Artur was not a Christian.
Another man was ‘Greg’ big bearded, long haired, scruffy – looked like he walked out of a Pantera concert circa 1990’s. Greg in his own limited time off would mow lawns and tidy gardens of the people he supported. Why? Because he wanted to help. Greg was not a Christian.
Dave, a tall bald goth who also ran his own vintage clothing stall and hosted mini festivals on his field on Dartmoor told me- ‘you think it’s bad for you to wipe someone’s bottom, how bad is it for the person we support to have to be wiped’? Dave is not a Christian.
Mairi works for a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and regularly tells me about the amazing staff who go above and beyond what’s expected of them to serve and help. It’s a job, yes, a poorly paid one, but it’s not about the money.
When we lose sight that people are people, or we only see the differences rather than the person, we can dehumanise and justify our action. The Bible tells us all humanity is made in the image of God, regardless of ability or disability and many such support workers recognise this, even if they don’t know they are recognising a person’s God like-ness.
You can really see this if you come to RBC on a Wednesday evening, when the Include Choir are on site. The Include Choir is an independent charity for people with and without understanding and speaking difficulties. I’m often around when they are practicing and it’s wonderful to hear songs like ‘I get by with a little help from my friends’ being sung with gusto and volume through the building.
I love hearing the chat going on in the foyer, one guy reciting classic blues brothers lines all evening. ‘We got both kinds of music here, country and western’ – he even got the accents right!
What I love is the joy and celebration of who they are – they are in fact, ‘beautifully and fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God’ (Psalm 139 & Genesis 1) and they are being loved and celebrated – again by many people who are not Christians.
It’s not just the Christians who have the monopoly of loving, caring, accepting, and including, but certainly all Christians should strive to be all these things and we can learn a lot from those who see humble, poorly paid service as more worthwhile than high-powered, money making, ambition driven careers. When we humble ourselves to serve in thankless and sometimes demeaning roles, like Artur, Dave or Greg, we are reflecting something of the image and purpose of God in us, whether we know it or not.

