PRESS INFORMATION ISSUED ON BEHALF OF:

Workplace Ministry in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL1 1HE
Tel: 01727 818144; Web: www.workplaceministry.org.uk/herts&beds/index.htm

8th April 2009

Workplace Ministry’s Annual Report highlights increasing needs

Increasing need - and opportunity - for chaplaincy at work is the key trend identified in the recently published Annual Report of Workplace Ministry in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire (WMHB), the ecumencial body that oversees the work of workplace ministry in these two counties. Although WMHB is an ecumenical outreach through chaplains who take Christian values into the workplace, its chaplains and associated chaplains offer friendship and a listening ear to all - regardless of religion or race - supporting staff of any faith or none.

The organisation’s 39 chaplains and associated chaplains work among shop and office workers in town centres as well as helping staff of the air ambulance, fire & rescue and police services. The WMHB also oversees the work of the Airport Chaplaincy Team at Luton Airport.

According to the head of WMHB, the Rev Michael Shaw: "From the end of 2008, the retail and manufacturing sectors have been showing signs of being hard hit, bearing the brunt of redundancies.

"These events raise a number of people- and relationship-related issues which go much deeper than the mere economics of livelihood and income. These are the sort of issues that involve our chaplains, as they seek to help those adversely affected by the recession to cope with the humanitarian issues that this raises.

"The recession is creating increased poverty, homelessness, debt and insolvency, rising unemployment and, as a result, greater anxiety, stress and, sadly, in some cases, suicide."

In recent months, WMHB has been expanding its work - including beginning to establish a chaplaincy among those working on the waterways within the two counties.

As these extra demands are placed upon WMHB, funding the body’s work is becoming an increasingly key issue.

More than 90 per cent of WMHB’s budget is met by Christian churches within the two counties, of which the major supporter is the Church of England (45 per cent), the United Reformed Church (18 per cent) and the Salvation Army (14 per cent). WMHB’s clients contribute some seven per cent to the body’s income.

End


Notes for Editors

About Workplace Ministry

WMHB is an ecumenical outreach through chaplains who take Christian values into the workplace. It operates anywhere where people work.

Chaplains visit people at work on a regular basis. They offer friendship and a listening ear. They are equally available to all - regardless of religion or race - supporting staff of any faith or none.



About Workplace Ministry in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire (WMHB)

WMHB:

• Encourages a positive connection between faith and economic life.

• Aims to provide high quality services and support to the workplace and to present workplace issues and opportunity to the Church.

• Works with other faith communities to create coordinated faith centred responses to current issues and needs.

• Provides a Christian presence that contributes to the whole of economic life in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

• Has a Christian basis, founded on the principle that Christ’s love is for all people. This principle inspires, underpins and permeates WMHB’s work in today’s diverse society.
   

Further information from:

The Rev Michael Shaw, Workplace Ministry in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, 01727 818144 (Ansaphone) or email workplace.ministry@stalbans.anglican.org

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405, bob.little@boblittlepr.com