John Roe

Chaplain to London Paddington and Hammersmith, stretching to the towns of Oxford, Reading, Slough, Swindon and Bath Spa.

Railway Mission Chaplains: Supporting Rail Staff on Life's Journey

John is our Railway Mission chaplain for West London and the Southwest. He covers a large ‘patch’ including the London stations of Paddington and Hammersmith, stretching to the towns of Oxford, Reading, Slough, Swindon and Bath Spa.

A self-confessed railway enthusiast, John came to Railway Mission full time in 2018 following technical and managerial roles in financial services, church ministry and chaplaincy roles in hospital and education.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m a West Country lad born and bred and I still live in Swindon, a town steeped in railway history. For the first 25 years of my working life, I worked in various technical and managerial roles in Financial Services. I then trained as a Baptist Minister and helped plant and lead a church in my community, working as a chaplain in hospital, college and care home contexts.

What inspired you to become a Railway Mission chaplain?

In early 2018 I was alerted by my wife of a vacancy at the Railway Mission (through a Facebook post!). Whilst happy in my existing areas of chaplaincy, I confess that as a railway enthusiast 🙂 I was intrigued by the prospect of exercising a chaplaincy role in this context. So, following a successful interview and job offer, I was soon to find out! 

Was it easy for a rail enthusiast to transfer to chaplaincy on the railways?

Whilst I confess to having been an avid trainspotter in my early teens – able to tell my Western Class diesel from a Brush Type-4 – that was about the extent of my knowledge of the railways prior to joining Railway Mission. What struck me most about working with railway staff across my patch, was the huge numbers of staff working for the various companies that (currently) comprise the railways. This includes Train Operating Companies, freight companies, Network Rail, all the plethora of contract companies and the British Transport Police (I wasn't previously aware they even existed!) and how they all interact to make the trains run.

Discovering the degree of trauma that many staff face in connection with their jobs, and supporting staff arising from those situations was, I think the biggest specific learning curve. It was also important to learn to manage my own wellbeing whilst supporting traumatised staff.

What does your job involve day to day?

 Our core work is the one-to-one support we offer railway staff. I build relationships with the railway community by getting out and about and demonstrating visible and regular care - being faithful and reliable in 'showing up' when the need is clear.

We are also called on from time to time to various more formal events. These have included leading Remembrance Services at stations, the naming and dedication of trains, memorial benches, railway gardens and leading funerals of staff. I have even conducted a wedding blessing for a couple on a specially chartered train!

How do Railway Mission chaplains make a difference to the railway family?

Railway Mission chaplains, along with all their gifts and experience they bring to their ministry, all offer a unique 'commodity' not found anywhere else and that is 'time'. We offer time to staff, to listen, offering impartiality (no judgement) and confidentiality.

Staff can confidently open up about situations they may feel less inclined to in any other context. There is no subject that is off-limits', including what some may refer to as spiritual matters. Being listened to is a treasure and one that also opens up the possibility of hope in the sharing.

Are there any particularly stand out moments from your career to date?

I received a telephone call from someone who said, "I don't even know why I'm phoning you and what you can do, I have so many problems in my life right now." I asked them to think of the one issue that was foremost in their mind right now. They shared it, I listened with a few little prompts and "have you thought about" type questions. And at the end, they felt they now had a plan, and expressed their gratitude in my listening and offering a little 'light at the end of the tunnel'.

What would you say to anyone who is thinking about reaching out for help but is unsure?

When you are experiencing problems and need help, it is so important to share with someone else who cares. Railway Mission chaplains offer empathetic care and support and are able to confidentially signpost to expert and professional further support as necessary.

What role does your faith play in your work?

My Christian faith is central and core to all I hope to do and be as a Railway Mission chaplain. I constantly remind myself that I cannot fix everybody's problems, but that by faith, believe that God can use us in helping guide those we support towards a place of hope and healing.