What’s your job title and how long have you been at Loughborough?

I am the Lead Chaplain and manage the Chaplaincy team, which is based upstairs in Edward Herbert Building (EHB). I’ve held this role since January 2024.

Tell us what a typical day in your job looks like?

As with other Schools and Professional Services across the University, the Chaplaincy has a seasonal rhythm of repeating events and recurring work that gives structure to the year. Things like Welcome Week, Interfaith Week, the University Carol Service and the Interfaith University Iftar are important marker posts in our calendar and great opportunities to connect with students, staff, alumni and the wider community in Loughborough itself. So, whilst there’s no one typical day, the annual pattern of events, faith festivals, services and vigils that the Chaplaincy delivers for the University creates a structure that the team build other activity around.

As you might expect, pastoral work forms a large part of how I spend my time; whether this is offering a confidential listening service to staff or students, in person or online, or facilitating one of the Bereavement Journey courses which run throughout the year for students and staff living with grief and loss.

As Lead Chaplain, I also have a representational role that involves advocating for people of faith and belief, ensuring the University takes their needs into consideration in decision-making and resource provision, so some days involve attending meetings that fall within this remit. Since the Chaplaincy is a staff and student-facing service, my role and the team’s work have to flex to take account of different needs and priorities, but the overarching aim of all our work is always to support human flourishing.

What’s your favourite project you’ve worked on?

There have been so many highlights in the past couple of years including working with different LSU student committees throughout the year to support the 15+ student faith societies/groups on campus; meeting international students as they arrive at Heathrow and travel to Loughborough for the first time; running the Bereavement Journey course (because I know it makes a difference to those who attend); becoming a member of the Loughborough University Students and Academics At-Risk Group (LUSARG) and seeing the University gain University of Sanctuary Award last year.

What is your proudest moment at Loughborough?

It’s tempting to think of things like the establishment of a structured bereavement care programme, or the introduction of community building events, such as the Interfaith Iftar, but the thing that makes me most proud is the knowledge that the Chaplaincy space and its people – my team – consistently offer a place of safety and welcome to all. Whatever their reason for contacting or their place in the institution, people are heard and supported. I’m proud we can offer this service to the University.

Which University value do you most resonate with and why?

Collaborative. We’re a small team, so collaboration is vital. It helps us deliver activities and other events that would otherwise be beyond the scope of the Chaplaincy alone. However, it’s not just about output. For me, working collaboratively helps to make working here enjoyable. In the past couple of years, the Chaplaincy team have been fortunate to be able to work with colleagues from Schools, Professional Services and LSU in a range of contexts. It’s great to have these opportunities to work alongside others, and I look forward to more of this in the future.

Tell us something you do outside of work that we might not know about?

I stumbled across a new hobby last summer – painting.

A few months earlier, a friend asked me how I made time to play. I struggled to answer, so I decided to do something about it and booked onto a low-stakes art course. I’m glad I did, and I’m very grateful to the friend whose prompt helped me to discover a new way to relax and be creative.

What is your favourite quote?

Choosing one is hard. I have two competing quotes in mind, so I’ll share both.

The first is by Cardinal Henry Newman. Reflecting on his life and purpose, Newman said: “I am a link in a chain; a bond of connection between people”. I remember reading these words when I was a teenager and thinking how they seemed to speak for me. They were important to me throughout my first career as a teacher and now inspire me in my work as a chaplain.

The second quote is by Julian of Norwich. Julian was a theologian and mystic who lived through the Black Death. She offered deep wisdom for her time and was able to look forward in hope, drawing strength from her Christian faith. She wrote: “All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.”

Julian inspires me to stay grounded in faith and trust God for the future. Her words encourage me to hold onto hope for myself, for others, and for our world as we navigate our way through uncertain times.