How do our volunteer Chaplains help people?
Our amazing Team of volunteers provide life-transforming spiritual and pastoral support to our service users and colleagues. Chaplains journey with people through life, their faith enabling them to share the hope they have.
We provide this care to people experiencing homelessness, families and young people across the area in which we work.
What would I be doing as a volunteer Chaplain?
Our work is rewarding, vital and vibrant – it’s also challenging. This is where you come in.
Our Chaplains offer a safe space in a noisy world. You understand the value of listening without jumping in with your own thoughts or feelings and understand how this creates a space for people to share freely. You may also offer prayer, something that is truly appreciated by many of our service users, staff, and volunteers.
You could:
- Offer a confidential, non-judgemental ‘listening ear’ and emotional support
- Provide spiritual support including prayer from a Christian perspective
- Facilitate an activity such as arts & crafts, walking group, cooking club, Bible Study or life journey group. We are always open to hearing about people’s hobbies and interests
- Be part of the team that serves refreshments in our Accommodation services
- Provide care in our specialist settings supporting people with complex needs
Watch our video to find out more
How would I be supported?
All our Chaplains are offered training on a variety of topics including; listening, spiritual care, supporting well-being and group facilitation.
We meet regularly for both 1:2:1 and group support. We do our best to enable all our Chaplains to work in small teams at their chosen location so they able to support each other day-to-day.
We make time to get together and share in-person several times a year, including an invitation to National YMCA Chaplains events and training.
What roles are there?
Chaplain
Help us Celebrate and Remember
A vital part of the Chaplaincy offer is helping people take part in Easter and Christmas activities, alongside offering times for the whole YMCA to gather such as Summer BBQs, just to enjoy being together. Our Chaplains also provide Services at difficult times, like ‘Time to Remember,’ an opportunity to think about loved ones at Christmas. We support all our Team to put these activities on, giving support and guidance.
Download role descriptionChaplaincy Administrator
Enable our work through administrative support
As the Chaplaincy Team grows, we need some amazing people to give their time to support our staff and volunteers reach more people with help and hope.
Our amazing volunteer Chaplaincy Administrators help us to; keep in touch with local Church prayer partners, create posters for Team Activities, arrange transport and materials for our Life Journey Retreats and accurately record the impact on how the Team is changing lives. There is of course much more to it than this!
The right people will have some experience working within a confidential setting, handling sensitive data and be available during the working day to attend our Watford Hostel site.
Download role description
