Railway Chaplains

[Strat-tastic]

I am considering applying for a position on the railway.
Does anyone have experience or knowledge of this role?
What is involved?
Importantly, does it require attending scenes of accidents?

I have a fair idea but would like to get some insights should I be called for interview.

 

[Ian Smeeton]

There was a Radio 4 programme in the last few weeks about the Railway Chaplains. Should still be available on i-player/BBC sounds.

Regards

Ian

 

[Strat-tastic]

There was a Radio 4 programme in the last few weeks about the Railway Chaplains. Should still be available on i-player/BBC sounds.

Regards

Ian

I found one from Jan 18. Nothing recent.
But thanks

 

[theironroad]

There was a Radio 4 programme in the last few weeks about the Railway Chaplains. Should still be available on i-player/BBC sounds.

Regards

Ian

I found one from Jan 18. Nothing recent.
But thanks

I seem to recall a ad on radio 4 for a programme about railway chaplains in last few months but didn't get to listen to it so not sure where. Possibly a embedded segment in another programme.

If you're on Twitter, there's at least one railway chaplain (for North West area) His name is Mike Roberts and tweets at @birdsnestblog

As far as I know it's mainly a listening ear type role for all rail staff of any faith or no faith. I think they are all employed by the Railway Mission. I think they are also involved with 11 November commerations at the bigger stations which have war memorials and if there is a formal observance organised.

Certainly I'd imagine they'd have been involved in the recent Stonehaven incident where rail staff lost their lives.

Realistically though they are too thinly spread to attend all incidents such as people who commit suicide on the railways, but I'm sure would be available to staff at a later date such as drivers and other staff who may be involved in addition to counselling services tocs offer.

In over 20 years on the railway I think I've seen a chaplain doing depot visits twice and until last year I had wondered if the post had been abolished .

Oh, a calendar appears sometimes from the Mission as well.

Edit:

Just been having a quick look at the railway mission website and seems all of Scotland's railway chaplains were out and about providing care to staff after the derailmemt.

Also, I think the media piece I was thinking about may have been the 4-5 minute segment also linked on the railway mission website from July this year showing a chaplain at work visiting Rugby station. It was aired on bbc1 originally on BBC Sunday Morning Live.

 

[43066]

I seem to recall a ad on radio 4 for a programme about railway chaplains in last few months but didn't get to listen to it so not sure where. Possibly a embedded segment in another programme.

If you're on Twitter, there's at least one railway chaplain (for North West area) His name is Mike Roberts and tweets at @birdsnestblog

As far as I know it's mainly a listening ear type role for all rail staff of any faith or no faith. I think they are all employed by the Railway Mission. I think they are also involved with 11 November commerations at the bigger stations which have war memorials and if there is a formal observance organised.

Certainly I'd imagine they'd have been involved in the recent Stonehaven incident where rail staff lost their lives.

Realistically though they are too thinly spread to attend all incidents such as people who commit suicide on the railways, but I'm sure would be available to staff at a later date such as drivers and other staff who may be involved in addition to counselling services tocs offer.

In over 20 years on the railway I think I've seen a chaplain doing depot visits twice and until last year I had wondered if the post had been abolished .

Oh, a calendar appears sometimes from the Mission as well.

Edit:

Just been having a quick look at the railway mission website and seems all of Scotland's railway chaplains were out and about providing care to staff after the derailmemt.

Also, I think the media piece I was thinking about may have been the 4-5 minute segment also linked on the railway mission website from July this year showing a chaplain at work visiting Rugby station. It was aired on bbc1 originally on BBC Sunday Morning Live.

I can’t really add much to @theironroad ‘s excellent response above.

From what I’ve seen you would never be expected to attend incidents, but would be there to provide pastoral support, in addition to the TOC’s formal counselling process. That might include providing a sympathetic ear after fatalities, but also in relation to any other issues drivers (and other rail staff) might encounter at work, or outside of it.

 

[HBP]

BBC Radio 4 - Faith on the Move

A journey with the chaplains who support travellers on Britain’s rail network.

www.bbc.co.uk

This is still available from March this year. ‘Faith on the Move’

 

[Strat-tastic]

That's very helpful everyone, thank you

 

[theironroad]

BBC Radio 4 - Faith on the Move

A journey with the chaplains who support travellers on Britain’s rail network.

www.bbc.co.uk

This is still available from March this year. ‘Faith on the Move’

That must be the one. Many thanks.
Just reading the summary, it seems that an ex train driver is about to start as a railway chaplain in the West country...

 

[FQTV]

I know one, and have done for some years before she took up the role.

It’s very intense, and I admire her greatly for the work that she does.

She covers a geographically very wide area, and is involved with a hugely diverse range of people, issues and events.

Airport chaplains perform a similar function, but my appreciation is that railway chaplains are more ‘engaged’ with the overall system.

 

[Gemz91]

If your'e the "religious" type, sign up to their weekly prayer emails, might give you a bit more of an idea of what they do.

I know the Railway Chaplin round my way went to visit the family of a non railway person who had committed suicide on the railways. From what I gather the family were wanting to place flowers at the exact point of the death, so the Railway Chaplin was going to speak to them, partly to politely suggest that wouldn't be practical. Not sure if he'd had previous contact with them though or if they had been asked to go by Network Rail/BTP.

If your'e a person of faith, its certainly a job I would consider.

 

[theironroad]

If your'e the "religious" type, sign up to their weekly prayer emails, might give you a bit more of an idea of what they do.

I know the Railway Chaplin round my way went to visit the family of a non railway person who had committed suicide on the railways. From what I gather the family were wanting to place flowers at the exact point of the death, so the Railway Chaplin was going to speak to them, partly to politely suggest that wouldn't be practical. Not sure if he'd had previous contact with them though or if they had been asked to go by Network Rail/BTP.

If your'e a person of faith, its certainly a job I would consider.

Possibly asked to by btp and also the TOC/FOC involved. Obviously it's a hugely sensitive area, but there has been a concerted effort by the railway in recent years to try and avoid flowers/memorabilia or other memorials on stations etc or to facilitate it only for a very short period of time.

Having memorials like this at stations etc was shown to upset passengers and staff and added as reminder to the driver involved each time they passed through. I think there was some suggestion too that it may trigger some people who may be thinking about suicide.

The TOC/FOC, NR, BTP and Samaritans have been doing a lot of work in recent years in trying to prevent suicide on the railways and training staff to intervene at times, pso this was one strand of that I understand.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Seems from reading this (which adds to my previous knowledge) that it's a very worthwhile and valuable role and I'm sure very rewarding to the individual too.