Archdeacon Javaid is our Diocesan Sector Ministry and Chaplaincy lead and would love to hear your comments, thoughts and suggestions for chaplaincy development.
What is a Chaplain?
Chaplaincy is journeying alongside people wherever they find themselves. Anglican Chaplains are dedicated to showing God’s love to everyone they meet, those of faith, people of other faiths and people of no faith at all, they are the church’s face in the world outside church. They typically provide a listening ear, spiritual guidance, emotional support, religious services and community activities. Chaplains can be ordained or lay ministers, employed and volunteer, and serve in a wide variety of settings.
Anglican Chaplains often work closely with chaplains from other Christian denominations and other faiths, beliefs and none.
Where do chaplains work?
Chaplains usually work within a secular institution such as a hospital, university or prison. In the Diocese of Sheffield, we currently have Chaplains in the following sectors:
Healthcare
Healthcare chaplains are available to support patients, their families and hospital staff. They are often specialists in grief and loss, crisis care, intervention, conflict resolution and the range of services available to patients and staff inside and outside the location.
- Health and Social Care
- Sheffield Children’s Hospital
- Sheffield Teaching Hospital
- St Luke’s Hospice
- Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospital
- Rotherham Hospital
Sports
A sports chaplain provides pastoral and spiritual care to sports people, their aim is to serve all people in their particular club irrespective of position, beliefs or lifestyle.
- Doncaster Knights Rugby Football club have appointed Revd Chris Wroot as their Chaplain to provide support for the players throughout the season. Find out more.
- The Sheffield Sharks basketball team have Revd Harry Steele as their Chaplain.
- South Yorkshire Chaplaincy and Listening Service provide support to sports clubs and organisations.
South Yorkshire Chaplaincy and Listening Service
Prisons
Anglican Chaplains work within a multi-faith team to care for the spiritual and emotional well-being of prisoners and staff, including bereavement support and pastoral care. They also help with practical aspects of prisoner rehabilitation. Find out more
Prison Fellowship Chaplaincy Support
Police
The chaplain’s role is a supportive and pastoral one, offering support to officers and staff. In this role, the chaplain seeks to build a relationship of acceptance, friendship and trust with officers and staff and offer a source of comfort during times of difficulty or stress.
Universities
Chaplains in our Universities offer counselling, support and guidance in matters of faith and spiritual development to students and staff. They arrange events to help develop a sense of community within the university.
University of Sheffield Christian Chaplaincy
Hallam University Multi-faith Chaplaincy
Waterways
The Waterways Chaplaincy is slightly different from some other Chaplaincies. The Chaplains’ distinctive focus is to proactively reach out to people in need on the rivers and canals that make up our extensive network of inland waterways. We support the increasing number of boaters who are ‘signposted’ to us by the Canals and River Trust’s Welfare Officers. Anyone can make a referral through our website, either for themselves or for someone they are worried about. We are also available to all users of the Warerways – walkers, joggers, cyclists, fisherfolk whoever!
Deaf Community Chaplain
Denise Teal is the Bishop’s Adviser to the Deaf Find out more