Phil Metcalf is the West Midlands region’s Further Education Chaplaincy ambassador, a new collaboratively-funded three year role. Since Phil began the role in January 2018, there have been significant developments in promoting new FE chaplaincies.
Phil is currently working with 14 FE Colleges across all parts of the region, with the potential to have 33 different campuses offering chaplaincy. There has been a very positive response to Phil’s initial research indicating that there is an open door in many FE Colleges wanting to explore chaplaincy support.
As at October 2018, 3 new FE campuses have welcomed new chaplains with more than 20 additional campuses exploring the possibility.
Phil has been working with a variety of Churches Together groups and individual churches to match suitable chaplains to each campus. He has visited 10 FE colleges and met College Principals, Vice Principals and a variety of senior managers.
He has also met a number of current chaplains to hear first-hand about the work they are doing and how he might best support them in their vital work with students and staff. Some great examples of what chaplains are doing in FE colleges include offering a Food Bank and running an animal café, where students can bring their pets in and meet the chaplain’s dog!
If you belong to a local church with an FE College nearby or if you work in an FE college and you would like to find out more about the support Phil can offer, you can contact him at phil.metcalf@blueyonder.co.uk or through the St Peter’s Saltley Trust or the West Midlands Churches FE Council websites.
Currently Phil is particularly interested in hearing from any churches or individuals in the vicinity of Birmingham Metropolitan College in Birmingham. If you have an interest in exploring chaplaincy or know of someone in your church who could offer support, please let Phil know.
Canon Phil Metcalf
W Midlands FE Chaplaincy Ambassador
This role is jointly funded by the Anglican Dioceses of Coventry and Lichfield, the Heart of England Baptist Association, West Midlands Synod of the United Reformed Church, and St Peter’s Saltley Trust.