Waterways Chaplaincy

Supporting the river and canal community

LIFE ON THE FREEZING WATERWAYS

In the winter, with freezing temperatures, life on the water is especially tough. As a vital part of the Church Army family, the Waterways Chaplaincy serves as a lifeline for those who consider the waterways their home. They offer essential practical, pastoral, and spiritual support to anyone in need. In times of desperation, they are a beacon of hope and compassion.

What is Waterways Chaplaincy?

Waterways Chaplains offers support to those who use and live on the UK waterways and canals. Chaplains are volunteers from local churches who regularly visit the waterways offering companionship and a listening ear to individuals and businesses.

What does Waterways Chaplaincy do?

“I can’t thank you all enough and my local surgery for recommending I contact you and a higher power for helping out too. I feel very privileged to have been given the help and support I’ve received when I needed it most otherwise it could have been a very different outcome. You have categorically SAVED A LIFE! God bless you all.” Boater H, Buckby Locks

£3
£9
£15

£3

could help with publicising the chaplaincy to boaters in need.

£9

could go towards providing a small bag of coal for life aboard a cold and isolated boat.

£15

could go towards training a volunteer Waterways Chaplain.

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£25
£50
£250

£25

could provide emergency transport to several needy boaters in need of medical help.

£50

could help promote the recruitment of volunteer chaplains.

£250

could support a volunteer Chaplain for a year.

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Your kind support will help us tackle social deprivation through partnership and collaboration to help empower individuals and communities

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Donation Total: £25.00 One Time

We need your help!

Our chaplains respond to the people they encounter. They are pastorally proactive and spiritually reactive, and by building relationships they help in the slow and gradual transformation of many peoples lives.

Here is a chart that highlights the scale and area of our work:

The chaplaincy has grown over the years to over 100 chaplains. See where we are involved in the map below:

But we are still only scratching the surface when it comes to the need. Do you live near a waterway? Could you consider joining us serve those in need near you?

There are over 1000 churches within 1 mile of a waterway. We already partner with some but we would love to partner with more. Is your church close to a waterway? Does your church look to care for those on the margins? Perhaps you run a foodbank or host a warm space? We would love to know so that we can direct boaters in need as they pass through your area.

Jesus calls us to come alongside those most in need and the chaplaincy is enacting God’s bias to the poor across our historic waterways. It has been noted that ‘God walks slowly’* and this may be what draws so many people to find solace on the towpath.

Unlike many chaplaincies, waterways chaplains operate without a traditional church building or sacred space. Our evangelism is quiet and gentle. Our chaplains strive to be people inspired by Micah 6:8.

“What does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God.”

*Aldous B, 2022, The God who walks slowly, SCM, London

Chris Upton, LEAD WaterWays Chaplain, writes…

Our rivers and canals are home to many different types of people. As many don’t have a fixed address, it’s difficult to open a banking account, claim any benefits, access healthcare and/or employment.

THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS IS PUSHING PEOPLE TOWARDS THE EDGE AND THE NUMBER OF DESPERATE CRIES FOR HELP IS RISING.

One lady contacted me saying “The only reason I haven’t killed myself is because I’m scared of what might happen to my dog. Now, I’m scared I’ll die anyway, and he’ll be trapped in the boat with my body. I’ve lost my job, I’ve no money, the engine has died and I’ve no money for paraffin for my stove. We’re waking up in ice. I can’t see where any hope is going to come from.”

Through our network, we were able to get her basic provisions, take her to a local café and collect a food parcel for her. She’s been able to get on universal credit, register with a local job centre, and we have kept in communication with her, also supporting her with repairs to her boat. She messaged me recently; “you really did help me carry on when I couldn’t see a way through! Thank you!”