“It’s a real privilege to be able to offer the value that we place upon people”

What is it that you do as Royal Air Force Chaplain?

Our days are very varied. I'm currently serving at RAF Coningsby, which is a fast jet typhoon base. So my role is attending meetings with the station executive, spending time visiting squadrons and people in the workplace, engineers, pilots, chefs, drivers, whatever they do, we try and get out into their workplace as much as we can. But the bread and butter of our work is the one-to-one pastoral care that we offer, wherever people come to see us. So we go out to build the bridges and we are here for them when they reach a point of need and they feel comfortable coming to see us. In any week, I'd probably see maybe 15 to 20 people on a one-to-one basis who want to share some of their struggles and we want to offer them a sense of value and feel listened to, and offer them the care and the time that others may not be able to give them. We have a lot of engagement work and that's a real joyous part of the job. Whichever workplace we go into, we're welcomed with open arms. 99% of the time people are pleased to see a chaplain and one of the joys is you just go and say hello to somebody in the workplace. Before you know it, they want to show you what they're doing and want to involve. Then you sit alongside them and there're some really good conversations happening at that point. We also offer a 24/7 pastoral care. So that means that anybody so at Coningsby can dial the duty mobile number at any time, day or night, and they'll always be a Chaplain to answer. If it's me holding the phone, I'll know where they work and we'll be able to have a conversation. If that’s needed, I’ll travel to their workplace to see them or to arrange to see them again later. It’s a real privilege to be able to offer the value that we place upon people.

Why did you feel called to chaplaincy?

I've always had such a heart for the church beyond the walls. I loved circuit ministry, but my heart was always for those beyond the margins of church life. I've always felt I've wanted to share God's love with those who don't understand it or have ever had an opportunity to engage with it.

What is it about Methodism that is different from other faiths and approaches to chaplaincy?

One thing that Methodists do very well is hospitality. I think we're a caring, loving church and we've always wanted to make people feel welcome and give them a cup of tea. I've definitely taken that into chaplaincy and everybody who comes into our building is made to feel welcome. They're given a drink, a biscuit and an opportunity. A safe space is what we try and create, and that's definitely what I see as a strong Methodist vibe through the ministry.

Tell me about one person you’ve met where you’ve had an impact on their lives.

I'm doing some work at the moment with people who are feeling lonely in the Air Force, and it's bizarre, because I think if you talk to the those in the higher echelons of our organization, they'll remember a time where everybody walked into the RAF and felt part of a family, but that's not so much the case now. A lot of that is to do with changes to the way that young people live in the Air Force, a lot of them are in single rooms rather than sharing with others. They used to dine together all the time and now they cook for themselves most of the time. So that means that it can be quite isolating when they come out of training onto their first station. And so I see many people in this situation, but I think of one in particular who was becoming fearful to go to work and regularly was in tears. He felt lonely and he didn't know what to do. The first time he came by my office, he burst into tears. He said, ‘Padre, I'm so lonely, you know?’ We've encouraged him to find ways of creating care for himself. I saw him again recently and he is looking so much better, he's flourishing. And that brings joy to my heart.