Chaplain at YMCA DownsLink Group

Our multi-faith chaplains make a difference to the lives of young people by providing a space to be heard, to have fun and to eat together. Chaplains offer non-judgemental support to residents (aged 16-25 years) around their spiritual, emotional and social wellbeing. They are there for people of all faiths, no faith, and for those exploring faith, belief and spirituality.

Fundamental to our chaplaincy service are our teams of highly committed volunteer chaplains who are passionate about supporting young people.

Chaplaincy sessions are usually run in the evenings and involve the preparation of a shared meal. You will, on occasion, also work one to one with some of our residents. The role also has an important outreach function to develop relationships with Christian and other faith/belief communities across Brighton and Hove so that those communities can support and participate in our work, including fundraising.

Key responsibilities:

- Coordinate chaplaincies at our supported accommodation services in Brighton and Hove
- Attend and actively participate in evening chaplaincy sessions (at least bi-weekly)
- Recruit, train, and support new volunteer chaplains from multiple faiths
- Provide one-to-one spiritual care and support to residents
- Develop relationships with local churches and other faith/belief organizations
- Explore potential for new chaplaincy services in other YMCA DLG services

About You

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience does not align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

Experience and Knowledge:

- Good understanding of your own faith/belief system and other faith traditions
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Experience recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers
- Experience working with young people, especially those with challenging life experiences
- Willingness to work with people of all faiths/beliefs and none
- Excellent communication, organization, and time management skills
- Ability to support young people experiencing distressing situations

Desirable:

- Training in your faith tradition
- Valid driving license and access to a vehicle