Hannah Padfield is the Lead Anglican Missional Chaplain at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. Hannah has a teaching background and has helped lead the Student Ministry at St James in the City for the last ten years. She spoke to us about her current role which she has been in for four years and her outreach work with the team of Chaplain Assistants, most of whom were or still are students and who have been part of a church community at St James in the City, St Barnabas Penny Lane church, St Luke in the City-Parish Team and All Saints Kensington.
"As a Chaplaincy team, we hold weekly events in our on-campus Chaplaincy space, offering free flat whites and lattes, games and conversation. It is a safe space for students to come and chill, hang out with their friends, or work on assignments in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. We also hold a Mindful Art session and an International Students’ Café once a week, plus we offer one-off services like The Good Grief Café. We are involved in all the different Fresher's Events that take place twice a year and take part in interfaith events with the other faith Chaplains. Chaplaincy is part of the university's well-being teams, so a large part of our role is looking after the well-being of all students and helping them explore their spiritual well-being. We love inviting students we’ve met on campus for Sunday lunch and to student socials happening at our churches. Students are invited to learn more about the Christian faith through the Alpha Course we hold every term, and, through friendships and a sense of community, some students start coming to church and feel part of a church family.
There are so many opportunities to engage with students, but promoting our events within the institutions and students finding our Chaplaincy space is a challenge. There is also the challenge of what time to hold certain events as students’ work schedules differ. However, since the pandemic, the Chaplaincy profile has been raised and the value placed on students feeling a sense of community has increased. It is recognised as a vital factor in their well-being and mental health. We have seen students jump at the chance to get involved in our weekly events and they have loved making friends with students from our different church communities. We are engaging with far more students this academic year than ever before and we have put a lot of time and effort into creating a warm and welcoming environment in our physical Chaplaincy space as well as an exciting social media presence."
To find out more contact Hannah on email or via Instagram @findyoursteeple.