Bristol parishioner working with recovering Ebola patients in Liberia

Dr Theresa Jones

St Patrick’s Church in Redfield, Bristol is praying for one of its young parishioners who is working with recovering Ebola patients in Liberia. Dr Theresa Jones, 26, is a clinical psychologist counseling medical staff, some of whom have been attacked, and is also helping recovering patients to reintegrate into society after the trauma of contracting a potentially deadly disease.

Theresa, a former pupil of St Patrick’s School, studied psychology at York then completed a PHD at Hull University, including a six month training session in Uganda.

She now works for an American charity, International Rescue Committee, in Liberia’s capital Monrovia.

She has worked on the West Bank of Palestine for Medicins Sans Frontiers. She has been home on holiday with her parents, Helen and Dennis, and brother and sister, Catharine and Matthew.

While at home in Bristol last month, Theresa said: “To cope with situations that seem quite hopeless you need a voice of hope and humanity.

"Medics can be reminded that, in the face of a situation that looks hopeless, small acts of kindness mean a great deal. Remembering that a decent proportion of our patients do survive can also help our medics.To give patients and staff a visual reminder of this, we set up a white board where survivors can leave a colourful handprint as they leave the hospital. For me, handprints are amazing things, because in Liberia people are constantly being told to wash their hands or not to touch anyone, so it’s a powerful symbol.”

Fr Gregory Grant, parish priest of St Patricks, said: “Theresa is a very brave young woman and she is being remembered in the prayers of parishioners and also pupils of St Patricks School where she was taught by present headteacher Michelle Marshall.”

Source: Clifton Diocese