Graham Whitehead

Chaplain to Glasgow and West of Scotland

Railway Mission Chaplains: Supporting Rail Staff on Life's Journey

Graham is our Railway Mission chaplain for Glasgow and the West of Scotland. His ‘patch’ includes Stirling, Perth and Motherwell, plus many remote stations.

Prior to joining Railway Mission almost 9 years ago, Graham had a long career on the railways. He has a wife who is a garden designer and three grown up children – a teacher, an engineer and a musical theatre performer.

Can you tell me a bit about your journey to working at Railway Mission?

I have a long history with the railways, being a railway enthusiast since I was five years old and coming from a family where my father always dreamed of being a train driver. I joined the railways a bit later in life after completing a degree as a mature student. I initially joined the railways at the height of the recession in the 1990s whilst I searched for a ‘proper’ job! I never left and followed a career as a conductor, a driver and a railway timetable planner. I see my role at Railway Mission as a move to working in another part of the railway.

Did you know much about Railway Mission?

I actually met a previous Railway Mission chaplain very early on when I started working on the railways. I knew the previous two chaplains on this ‘patch’ well and I was already a railway person, but it was still quite a conversion from my previous roles to being a Railway Mission chaplain!

What drew you to the role?

I loved my previous roles but I was looking for something different at that point in my life. Driving trains is very solo and timetable planning is very technical. I wanted to do something more people based and was ready for a change. I had felt a pull towards ministry since I became a Christian in my 30s. When this job opportunity came up, it was something I prayed hard about because although I was very drawn to it, it meant a significant pay cut and I had a wife and family to think about. I was also up against a lot of people during the selection process who were training to be a minister or were already part time chaplains. But I didn’t see it as a competition. I actually really enjoyed the selection day and meeting the other applicants and even helping them to understand what the role might be like for them, based on the knowledge I already had of the railways. I think being a people person and knowing the railways really helped.

What does being a Railway Mission chaplain involve?

I think the most important thing I give people is time and the gift of being totally present. I always make sure I make time for them and tell them if there is anything that might interrupt us. Time is so valuable in today’s society where we are so busy rushing around with constant distractions and not taking time for self-care.

Railway Mission chaplains are not therapists, instead we are here to accompany people on their journey as they explore what is going on for them and find their own solutions. This can take time and for many deeper issues, you can’t just put a plaster on it and hope it will be okay.

I try and signpost people to things that might help them. Not everything will work for everyone so we have to find ways that will help each unique individual. People often think they need to get back to ‘normal’ but after trauma there is often no ‘normal’ but a new normal that we have to learn to live through. We find ways to cope so we are stronger when the next thing in life comes along.

Sometimes there might be something deeper going on but people haven’t worked out that the root cause of their challenges is actually something else. Some of these conversations require two pieces of chocolate cake (!) and the time to really get to the bottom of the root cause. One of these conversations was with someone who was struggling with their home and work relationships. During our chat, I helped identify that it was actually money worries that was the root cause of the other issues but they hadn’t drawn the connection. I suggested working with some debt agencies and they were able to be more relaxed, which really helped relationships with their partner and work colleagues.

Does your railway background help in your role?

Absolutely, it has definitely helped me to “fast track” in the role – although there was still a lot to learn. When I was appointed, I was told it normally takes 3 years to become a chaplain fully conversant in understanding the railway. I think it probably took me two years to properly convert to being a chaplain even though I already knew the patch and the language of railways. I do think my background helps to encourage people to open up to me in my role as chaplain. I understand some of what they are experiencing because I have been a driver and have worked in other roles. I understand that people are being professional and diligent but sometimes need someone external to talk to, who understands their experience but who isn’t part of their direct management team.

What are the positives and the challenges in the role?

I love my ‘patch’ and there are some wonderful remote places where staff don’t see people that often and they deserve to be visited and receive some nurturing. I always make time to visit these more remote places, many of which don’t even have phone signal. I guess you are never completely off duty though. Even today, talking to you, I am keeping an eye out for someone who looks unwell and is being supported by train staff. I can’t just walk away if I see railway staff that are in a challenging situation, even if it is my day off. I always stay and help.

How do you stay grounded when you’ve had harrowing conversations?

I switch off by reading books about all sorts of topics – including faith, railways, photography and politics. Having people around you who are supportive is important and, for me, this is both people at church and the other Railway Mission chaplains. It is good to have someone ask me “How are YOU doing?” when they know I have been supporting people through a particularly challenging time. It helps to see that there isn’t anything wrong with you if you find a situation challenging – everyone would struggle if they were going through the same things.

I also have a Border Collie who needs a lot of exercise!

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

I make it clear that I am not here to convert anyone. I am a Christian and my relationship with, and support for others, is partly driven by that, but I don’t expect them to automatically share my faith. I work with people who are Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Agnostic and Atheist, and try to treat each person with equal respect.  In fact, working with people who have different views is really good because it makes me really think about who I am and what I believe.

I hope people will reach out because we all need someone to take time for us, to believe we are important and to nurture us. That different perspective can often be exactly what we need to find a way through.