John Phillips is a Churchwarden at St James Church, Ince, and also a Waterways Chaplain on the stretch of canal between the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum and Chester. He describes it as a very rewarding role, but what does it actually involve?
John is part of a team of seven waterways chaplains that cover the waterways around Chester and the wider area. He volunteers one day each week to walk along the Shropshire Union Canal, offering help and advice and chatting with people along the way. In big bold letters, on his jacket are the words, 'Waterways Chaplain' which have the effect of breaking down barriers with others who he comes across during his route, who will often be the first to initiate a conversation.
Although John is a Christian, being someone of faith isn't a requirement for the role, "You don't have to have faith or you can have faith'. Being a waterways Chaplain is about helping people, sometimes this might be as simple as giving directions, and at other times it can be getting people to a doctor for urgent treatment. John explains that living on a canal boat can feel a little isolated from normal society, which can be why some choose the lifestyle in the first place. But even people who enjoy the isolation can and do get lonely or need help from someone else. "It's not uncommon to see homeless people along the canal, sometimes in tents, and we help them too".
There are 'rules of engagement' so to speak. For example, John can't knock on the door of a boat to see if anyone would like a chat, something that he totally understands as "People have a right to privacy, and some have chosen this lifestyle for just that reason."
In the video below, John explains a little more about what his Chaplaincy involves. During the course of filming, John was approached on two separate occasions, by individuals just for a chat.
If you are interested in becoming a Waterways Chaplain visit the Waterways Chaplaincy Website