Tony Miller

Chaplain for London & Southern

Tony is our Railway Mission Chaplain for Southern Railways across the Sussex area, as well as for Network Rail. He also provides support to TfL London Underground and Tram staff in Croydon, including working alongside the British Transport Police.

Before joining the Railway Mission, Tony spent many years in mediation and trauma-support roles, working closely with local communities, the Metropolitan Police, and as a Prison Chaplain. In 2004, he received an award from former Prime Minister Tony Blair in recognition of his community work in London.

Tony has been married for almost 40 years, has three children and is a proud grandparent.

What was life like before the Railway Mission?

Before joining the Railway Mission, I worked in the probation service for eight years and as a foster carer for nearly 10 years. Across a wide variety of roles, I have supported individuals, families, and communities who were often marginalised or experiencing significant challenges. For more than 30 years, my work has involved supporting people who have been affected by trauma.

I’ve helped mediate between the police and local communities in parts of London where there were high levels of gang violence, including knife and gun crime, helping very different groups find ways to work together. I’ve also counselled police officers and supported both prisoners and staff with a wide range of mental health issues during my time as a prison chaplain.

How did you discover the Railway Mission?

My wife actually spotted the advert in the paper and said the job description sounded like it had been written just for me! Throughout my life, I’ve felt called to support people from all walks of life, and this role felt like a natural continuation of that journey.

I applied and I’m delighted to say I celebrated my third anniversary with the Railway Mission in September 2025.

Did you know anything about railways before this role?

To be honest, not very much! I tend to stay fairly local to where I live, and before this role I hadn’t travelled a great deal by train. I was told it can take around three years to really understand the world of the railways - and I’ve just passed that milestone.

I now travel regularly across my ‘patch’ and have learned a lot about the many different roles on the railway and the terminology that goes with them.

What do you love most about your ‘patch’?

It’s a large area — not as vast as some other chaplains’ patches, but still sizeable. One of the things I love most is that no two days are ever the same. Every time I step onto a train, I know the day ahead will be different from the last.

I meet people across all roles, from drivers and conductors to platform and gate-line staff. Our conversations can cover anything from work pressures to family life, relationships, children, and physical or mental wellbeing.

How do you strike up those conversations?

I genuinely love people and I’m very comfortable approaching someone for a chat. It usually starts with a warm smile, a simple introduction, and a friendly question such as, “How are you doing?” or “I don’t think we’ve met before

— where are you based?”

I might ask if they’ve seen my chaplain poster around the station. I always look out for new starters and make sure drivers know who I am, but I also speak with directors and people at every level of the organisation.

I’ve worked hard to raise awareness of my role and ensure information about Railway Mission chaplaincy is visible across stations. I’ve met many people already - though I know not everyone - so continuing to raise awareness is really important to me.

Are there any moments that particularly stand out for you?

I’m always deeply touched when people get back in touch some time after I’ve supported them to let me know how they’re doing. Knowing I’ve made even a small difference means a great deal.

One memorable experience was supporting a train driver and his wife during a very difficult period in their marriage. I worked with them, offering space to talk, along with ideas, resources, and tools to help them reconnect. It was incredibly rewarding to later receive a call telling me they were in Venice celebrating their wedding anniversary — a milestone that once felt out of reach.

How do you look after your own mental wellbeing?

I truly believe my vocation is to help people in the most difficult situations. Over the years, I’ve learned how to care deeply without taking on others’ trauma as my own, even after hearing and witnessing some very challenging experiences.

Outside of work, I go to the gym and practise mixed martial arts. I love reading and draw a great deal of strength from my family and church community. I also value my friendships with people from all walks of life — I simply enjoy talking to people.

My fellow Railway Mission chaplains are another huge source of support; we look out for one another. And then there’s my dog - a Cane Corso - who keeps me grounded and smiling. He may look intimidating, but he’s a real softie and often becomes a great conversation starter!

What would you say to someone who feels hesitant about reaching out for support?

I hope that by reading a little about me, people feel reassured that I’m approachable and easy to talk to. Some may worry that, because I’m a chaplain, I might try to promote my faith — but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

My role is not about conversion; it’s about care. I support people of all faiths and none. Our conversations are always about you — how you’re coping, what’s weighing on you, and what support might help.

My work is best described as pastoral care: listening, understanding, and offering support in a busy world where it can sometimes feel like you’ve run out of people to talk to.

What qualifies you for this role?

My most important qualifications aren’t just certificates — they’re about people. I genuinely care about others and have many years of experience offering support, listening without judgement, and helping people find a way forward during difficult times. I’m able to relate to what others are going through, having experienced pain and trauma myself, and I strongly believe that everyone deserves compassion, understanding and a second chance.

Alongside this, I hold a Master’s degree in Theology and completed a chaplaincy training programme in partnership with the United Nations. I’ve also undertaken counselling training and several training courses focused on mental health and trauma which supports my work in providing thoughtful, professional care. I like to think I’m easy to talk to, so I would really encourage you to reach out — our conversation will always be about you and what support you might need.