The Spiritus Chaplaincy Hub exists to strengthen, resource and connect those called to chaplaincy across the West of England and beyond. Whether you serve in education, healthcare, workplaces, community settings, prisons, the armed forces, or voluntary organisations, the Hub is here to support you in both vocation and practice.

We are developing a vibrant network for chaplains from all Christian traditions, offering opportunities for peer learning, collaboration and shared reflection. Chaplaincy can at times feel isolating. The Hub provides connection, encouragement and a space to think well about the challenges of ministry in contemporary settings.

Chapliancy is a ministry of presence. It requires theological depth, emotional intelligence, reflective practice, and resilience. The Spiritus Chaplaincy Hub offers formation that is both academically rigorous and pastorally grounded.

 

The Spiritus Chaplaincy Hub is more than a set of courses. It is a community. Supervision is a core commitment of the Hub. We promote reflective supervision as an essential discipline for sustained chaplaincy. Through structured support and professional conversations, chaplains are enabled to grow in wisdom, accountability, and self-awareness.

 

We also host conferences and development days, bringing together practitioners, theologians and sector leaders to explore key themes such as trauma, power and partnership, safeguarding, spiritual care in plural contexts, and mission in public life

Everything within the Chaplaincy Hub is rooted in the conviction that good chaplaincy is both deeply theological and profoundly human. We aim to form practitioners who are attentive to God, attentive to people and attentive to the context in which they serve.

 

If you are discerning a call to chaplaincy, seeking to deepen your practice, or longing for a supportive professional network, the Spiritus Chaplaincy Hub would be delighted to walk alongside you.

Courses with Spiritus College

 

All awards are delivered by Spiritus College and awarded by Durham University, combining local formation with nationally recognised academic standards.

 

Visit our course pages:

Introduction to Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy Focus: CertHE Theology, Ministry & Mission

Ideal for those exploring chaplaincy for the first time or beginning a role alongside other responsibilities. It builds confidence in listening skills, theology of care, safeguarding awareness, and reflective practice.

 

Introduction to Chaplaincy course

The Certificate develops a deeper theological framework for chaplaincy, equipping practitioners to engage ethically and pastorally in complex contexts.

 

Chaplaincy Focus: CertHE Theology, Ministry & Mission

The Diploma enables sustained, critical engagement with theology, mission, and professional practice, supporting those who carry greater responsibility or seek leadership within chaplaincy settings.

CPD Courses

The Spiritus Chaplaincy Hub: Professional Practice Series

Focused learning for the complex realities of chaplaincy today

Programme Overview

Chaplaincy in Practice is a new series of short, online CPD courses developed by the Spiritus Chaplaincy Hub. These 2-3 hour long courses are designed for new and experienced chaplains working in any setting who want thoughtful, practical engagement with the real challenges of contemporary chaplaincy.

 

Each session combines reflective practice, professional frameworks, case studies, and practical tools that can be taken straight back into your role.

 

This pilot series will run across Summer and Autumn 2026, allowing us to explore emerging needs in chaplaincy practice and respond to the realities chaplains are facing on the ground.

 

Format:

  • Live online sessions

  • 2-3 hours each

  • Interactive teaching, reflection, and discussion

  • Suitable for CPD portfolios

 

Find out more and book using the drop down menus below.

 

Neurodiversity is present in every chaplaincy context, yet many chaplains feel under-equipped to engage confidently and sensitively with neurodivergent individuals.

 

This course explores how chaplains can work more effecitvely with neurodiversity across:

  • Pastoral conversations
  • Worship and liturgical spaces
  • Spiritual exploration and formation

 

You'll be introduced to practical tools, reflective frameworks, and inclusive approaches that support chaplaincy practice without requiring specialist knowledge.

 

Key themes include:

  • Understanding neurodiversity in chaplaincy contexts
  • Adapting pastoral approaches and communication styles
  • Inclusive worship and spiritual practices
  • Recognising strengths, not just needs
  • Practical adjustments that makes a real difference 

 

Who it's for:

Any chaplain who wants to deepen their confidence in working with neurodiverse people.

 

Course dates:

1-14 June 2026

 

Cost:

£100 per participant

 

Book this course

Chaplaincy rarely sits under a single line of authority. Most chaplains work within complex webs of accountability, to employers, faith bodies, professional expectations, and their own moral and spiritual convictions.

 

This course explores how authority functions in chaplaincy, both around us and within us.

 

We will look at:

  • Navigating multiple authorities and partnership arrangements
  • Clarifying responsibility for safeguarding, data, supervision, and accountability
  • Professional oversight, and organisational conflict
  • How chaplains can hold disagreement without becoming isolated or disrupted

 

The session offers frameworks to help chaplains think clearly about responsibility, accountability, and power - and practical tools for working well within complex organisational systems. 

 

 

Ideal for: 

Any chaplain, but particularly senior and lead chaplains and anybody involved in managing and overseeing chaplaincy.

 

Course dates:

2-17 September 2026

 

Cost:

£100 per participant

 

Book this Course

Tragedy and trauma affect organisations whether or not they are planned for. Chaplains are often drawn into these moments - sometimes with clarity, sometimes at very short notice.

 

This course explores chaplaincy responses to tragedy across three key stages:

  1. Before - planning, preparation, and organisational readiness
  2. During - presence, boundaries, and decision-making in crisis
  3. After - trauma, memory, long-term impact, and care for carers

 

Using case studies and reflective tools, we will explore how chaplains can:

  • Contribute to effective planning without being co-opted
  • Work safely and ethically during crisis situations
  • Support organisations and individuals in the aftermath
  • Recognise trauma responses in others - and themselves

 

Suitable for:

Chaplains or those involved in the management and oversight of chaplaincy.

 

Course dates:

10-24 November 2026

 

Cost:

£100 per participant

 

Book this course

Course Leaders

Richard Kelley is an experienced chaplain and ministry leader who has served in a wide range of chaplaincy contexts, including education, industry, and community settings. He currently works as a Chaplaincy Adviser for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, supporting the development of chaplaincy across sectors including industry, courts, and further education.

 

Alongside his chaplaincy work, Richard is experienced in organisational leadership and governance. He has served as a trustee for several charities and works extensively with governance structures in educational and charitable organisations. His work focuses particularly on the practical realities of chaplaincy within complex institutional settings.

Michele is an experienced school chaplain and former Deputy Headteacher with a particular interest in pastoral care and inclusive ministry.

 

She has extensive experience supporting individuals with neurodiversity and has worked within NHS settings with peope with neurodivergent conditions. Michele brings both educatioinal leadership experience and pastoral insight to her work in chaplaincy, helping chaplains develop confidence in supporting neurodivergent individiuals. Michele is course leader for Spiritus' Introductory Chaplaincy course and Certificate programe.

Chaplaincy Vacancies

Chaplains in the Order of St John's

 

Click here to download a role description for the voluntary position of Chaplain for St John's

 

Click here to download 'Being a Chaplain in the Order of St John'