IN the heart of Sobell House Hospice lies a sun-drenched room where patients and grieving families can find peace.

The chapel is brightened by radiant orange walls and a swooping dove that sits inside a stained glass window, who has watched over many souls as they confront illness and reflect on life.

The Reverend Bob Whorton is a friendly face that patients, friends, relatives and staff can approach at the hospice for comfort.

The chaplain said: "My role is about being there at the right moment, and that involves some trust. It's a big listening role. I am trying to be there for people in a very stressful time."

Revd Whorton often holds ceremonies for patients after their death, encouraging others to write in a memorial book or light a candle to remember them.

He said: "We will talk about that person and listen to a piece of music. It's very poignant. It can be very difficult when losing somebody you know well, you need to mark it and talk about it.

"Lighting a candle is a very simple prayer – it's a way of saying 'help' or 'I love you' or expressing something when somebody has died."

Revd Whorton said the chapel is open to people of any religion or no religion, adding: "We are aiming for somewhere you can just be, for anyone of any faith. It's a different sort of space – a calming and peaceful place where you can reflect on what's happening. If you're feeling all over the place you can sit for a few moments and come back to yourself."

People can also pop into the chapel to play the piano in the corner of the room, which he said leads to "beautiful music drifting down the corridors".

Ward patients can also ask Revd Whorton to perform Holy Communion or bring blessed water to their bedside.

Julia Kibblewhite, who stops by Sobell every week to help her deal with her terminal cancer, credited Revd Whorton for "holding together the wards and the day centre".

The 71-year-old said: "The chapel is a very calm and reflective place – it's somewhere we always go to remember one of the group at the day centre if a patient has died. We all gather and just quietly reflect about that person.

"It's a way for people to settle their feelings. People share their memories about that person and you learn quite a bit about them. It's just a nice way to end their presence in the group – it's a special sort of group, you don't forget them. It's a sort of closure."

The chapel is open 24 hours a day and features a striking stained glass window crafted by Oxford artist Vetal Peeters.