EXAMPLES OF SUPPORT

We provide our railway family with support through all life’s challenges – whether work-related or personal. The examples below are anonymous to protect people’s privacy but give you some real-life examples of how we can help. You will find more examples in our chaplaincy reports.

We can help you through:

• Feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Stress and depression
• Relationship breakdowns and challenges
• Financial worries
• Grief and loss
• Illness
• Workplace change
• Witnessing incidents at work

WITNESSING AN INCIDENT AT WORK

When "Sarah" witnessed a tragic accident on the railway, her world changed instantly. She was consumed by panic and guilt and her mind constantly replayed moments from the event, taking over her thoughts. Driving past the level crossing where it happened triggered waves of anxiety and eventually her pain led to thoughts of self-harm.

Following an introduction by the British Transport Police, our Railway Mission chaplain stepped in to provide compassionate listening and reassurance through this challenging time. Slowly, she began to heal, to be able to process her emotions and take positive steps towards recovery.

FACING RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGES

Our Railway Mission chaplains often provide support with relationship difficulties and talking can really help the load feel so much lighter. Describing helping a member of rail staff and his wife through a difficult time in their marriage our Railway Mission Chaplain says: "It was if I walked into the troubles of their marriage and turned on the lights. They could finally see each other more clearly and talk to one another.". We provided support in a way and a place that felt comfortable for them both.

SUPPORT DURING ILL HEALTH

We helped a staff member who was experiencing both work-related and personal challenges with their ongoing treatments for multiple sclerosis. There were numerous doctors overseeing their care and the physical and emotional aftereffects had become difficult to manage. We provided a compassionate listening ear to help them cope with the impacts of the treatment and also support to guide them through their other work and life obligations during this difficult time.

Even if we cannot help with a specific problem, we can signpost and support you to places where you can get the specialist support you need. Our support also carries on once you leave the railway family, with our Railway Mission Chaplains called upon to support former members of staff and their families.

Find your nearest Railway Mission Chaplain

Has a Railway Mission Chaplain helped to support you? We would love to hear your stories to help others understand the real positive impact that chaplaincy can have. Please send your stories to the following email address and rest assured they will be anonymised and only shared if you are completely happy to – office@railwaymission.org