Part of the Church Army family, Waterways Chaplains are volunteers from local churches who regularly visit the waterways, offering help, companionship and a listening ear to individuals and businesses. We are interested in whomever they meet, be they boaters, cyclists, walkers, runners, anglers or canal workers.

There are many ways a Waterways Chaplain can offer support to those who live on and use the UK’s waterways … here’s an example of just some of them.

> Chaplains own food parcels

> Support/ intermediary through dealings with Authorities e.g. CRT, Local Councils, benefit claims

> Help with laundry, getting fuel etc.

> Coffee and a chat

> Calling out an engineer through our retainer account with River Canal Rescue (RCR)

> Boat Blessings

A Boater’s Tale

“Life was great on the boat. We were out of the rat race. We had a new born child. Then, my husband lost his job just before winter set in just before we developed problems with our heating. We were too far from Citizen’s Advice and had no money to pay for transport or fuel to heat the boat.

Our problems were compounding, we needed help as we felt lost and alone.

We were so grateful for the day the Waterways Chaplain popped a card under our door. The Chaplain assisted with our immediate problems and stayed in touch with us until we were back on our feet”.

Waterways Chaplaincy is an independent ecumenical charity within the Church Army family. Charity no 1200492, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish St, Sheffield, S3 7RZ