From the Top

Executive Director Railway Mission

Andrew Hall, area manager for the Railway and BTP chaplains has been analysing support data provided by the Railway Mission chaplaincy team since April 2021.

On average, each chaplain offers support to 2.5 people per working day. That is the equivalent of over 9,000 people a year. From the North of Scotland to the South Coast, Wales to the Wash, chaplains bring a little light in dark times! Of course, this is Network Rail, Train or Freight Operation Companies, as well as BTP staff. The real tragedy of this is that around 35% of support is for rail staff and BTP officers and staff following the death or serious injury caused by someone being hit by a train. In some chaplains’ areas, such incidents are less common due to the rural nature and population density. For others, especially those with larger conurbations or whose areas encompass large sections of London, this creates a disproportionate level of engagement and response. The value is not in the numbers supported, but the individual supported.

The person who requires a comforting word because of a problem at home, or at work, the father or mother who needs reassurance about their parenting of a new baby, or the person who is concerned for an elderly parent. 9,000 is a statistic, but statistics don’t tell the stories of ‘Support on Life’s Journey’.