Church-goers have attended a service at a Surbiton care home for a much-loved member of their congregation.

Bob Sewell, 88, is no longer able to attend Hook Evangelical Church because of his complex care needs, so the congregation instead came to Royal Star & Garter, where he is cared for, for a special church service on Wednesday, 13 September.

Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. The charity also has Homes in Solihull and High Wycombe.

Members of the congregation filled the Home’s reception area along with other residents from the Home, singing hymns and listening to Bible readings.

Bob, who served in the Army’s Catering Corps and is a Korea veteran, has been a member of the church nearly all his life. He said: “It was a privilege to welcome my friends from the church to my home at Royal Star & Garter. I’m very grateful that the Home was able to help arrange this for me.”

‘Much-loved’

The service was led by Pastor Paul Pease. He said: “Bob has been part of our church family for a long time. He is much-loved and much-missed at our church. It’s an honour for us all to come to Royal Star & Garter, and have this service with Bob and the other people who live at this wonderful Home.”

As part of their wellbeing, the Home looks after the spiritual needs of all residents, with clergy of all faiths visiting the Home. Where possible staff at Royal Star & Garter also support residents visiting places of worship.

Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton is welcoming new residents. For more information on this, or to work for the charity, go to www.starandgarter.org/surbiton