Join the Team
Volunteer with Bristol Chaplaincy
Volunteer with Bristol Chaplaincy
At Bristol Chaplaincy, our work is only possible because of the people who give their time to listen, support, and walk alongside others through life's challenges.
Whether it's a quiet conversation at the Crown Courts, a drop-in chat aboard our barge in Temple Quay, or supporting someone through a difficult moment at work, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
Volunteering with us means becoming part of a compassionate, close-knit team that offers a safe, non-judgemental space for people across Bristol — and in doing so, genuinely making a difference in someone's life, often in ways you'll never fully know.
All our current opportunities are detailed below. Whatever your background or experience, there may be a role here that lets you bring your time, your presence, and your care to the people of Bristol.
Current Volunteering Opportunities
Crown Court Volunteer Chaplain
Our Crown Court Chaplaincy volunteers offer a calm, reassuring presence at Bristol's courts every Monday and Friday. From welcoming people as they arrive, to walking the corridors and chatting with those waiting to go into court, the team offers support to anyone caught up in the court process — defendants, victims of crime, witnesses, family members, and court staff, including judges. It's a role that can make a real difference to someone facing one of the most difficult days of their life.
Retail Volunteer Chaplain
Launching soon, our new Retail Chaplaincy will bring chaplaincy support to the heart of Bristol's shopping district, based in Broadmead. Volunteers will build relationships with retailers and their staff, offering a friendly, listening ear amid the pressures of working life — from long shifts and difficult customers to the everyday ups and downs of retail work.
As we launch this new chaplaincy, it's a great opportunity to help shape the role from the ground up.
University of Law Volunteer Chaplain
Our University of Law Chaplaincy volunteers offer support to students, lecturers, and other staff, based in the canteen area on different days each week. The team understands the particular pressures that come with studying for a career in law, and offers a welcoming, listening presence for anyone who needs a break from the demands of academic life — whether that's a chat over coffee or simply a familiar, friendly face. It's a role built on availability and genuine interest in people, helping to make university life a little more human.
Business and workplace Volunteer Chaplain
Our Business & Workplace Chaplaincy volunteers provide bespoke support to companies and their staff across Bristol city centre, acting as trusted, listening ears within the workplace. The team works closely with each business to shape a chaplaincy presence that suits their individual and unique needs, helping to reduce stress and build a genuinely caring working environment.
Family Courts Volunteer Chaplain
Launching soon, our new Family Court Chaplaincy will offer support within one of the most emotionally charged environments our volunteers can work in, supporting families going through cases involving relationships and children. Volunteers will need to be a calm, compassionate presence for people at some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments of their lives.
Volunteer Grants and Fundraising Lead
We're looking for a volunteer Grants & Fundraising Lead to take on a crucial role at the heart of Bristol Chaplaincy's future. This position will lead our efforts to raise the funds needed to sustain and grow our charitable work, from researching and applying for grants to developing wider fundraising initiatives. There are so many more people across Bristol we could support with the right resources behind us, and this role offers the chance to directly shape how far our reach can extend, and how many more lives we can help change.
If you would like more information about any of the volunteering opportunities above, and for details on how to apply, please email us at: info@bristolchaplaincy.co.uk
Partnerships
Building Partnerships With Care, Experience, And Innovation
Bristol Chaplaincy is currently building partnerships with organisations, charities and churches across the city centre. We are always looking for new opportunities to collaborate with others to both support the work of Bristol Chaplaincy and those who we partner with.
The Bristol City Centre BID
Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) is a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the city centre for everyone to enjoy. Bristol Chaplaincy is currently supported financially by The Bristol City Centre BID.
Upper Reaches Prayer Barge
Upper Reaches CIO is a charity with a heart for prayer in Temple Quay, the central business district of Bristol. We love to pray for the people and businesses working in Temple Quay - we provide the beautiful Prayer Barge by Valentines Bridge for prayer and reflection - and we also provide a listening service on the Prayer Barge and to local businesses.
Together 4 Bristol
Together4Bristol (T4B) is a growing movement of churches, prayer groups and networks across the 'whole of life', to help the Christian community be good news for the Bristol region. Bristol Chaplaincy is partnering with T4B to establish a network of chaplains working across all sectors in the Bristol area.
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Bristol Street Pastors
Street Pastors patrol the city centre every Saturday night between 10 pm and 3 am and are available to listen, care and help anyone who is out and about enjoying Bristol’s nightlife.
testimonials
Chaplaincy Stories
Enormous thank you for your time and listening ears last week. It was a true gift.
'Listening Appointment' Client
Last year, I had some challenges in my life and I had nobody to talk to and nowhere to go for help and support. A chaplaincy service, like Bristol Chaplaincy, would have been really helpful.
'Wellbeing Group' Client
When I tell people I’m a minister of a church, it often closes the conversation. When I tell people that I’m a chaplain, they lean in.
Church Leader & Chaplain
about One to one Listening Services
Life is full of ups and downs. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that it can be challenging.
With a one-to-one listening service, you can talk, and be heard without judgement. In each session, you can expect to receive active listening, along with understanding and kindness.
In a safe environment, you can discuss whatever life brings, whether in work or personal life.
We are here for you and we want to support you and help you move forward. By speaking to someone independent, you can bring clarity to your personal situation, whatever it may be.
You can arrange a one-to-one meeting with one of our experienced team of chaplains who can meet in a convenient location in a coffee shop, or at one of our chaplaincy hubs.
All services are CONFIDENTIAL, FREE and ACCESSIBLE.
You can book a 45-minute listening session below.
Partnerships
Building Partnerships With
Care, Experience, And Innovation
Bristol Chaplaincy is currently building partnerships with organisations, charities and churches across the city centre. We are always looking for new opportunities to collaborate with others to both support the work of Bristol Chaplaincy and those who we partner with.
The Bristol City Centre BID
Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) is a not-for-profit organisation working to improve the city centre for everyone to enjoy. Bristol Chaplaincy is currently supported financially by The Bristol City Centre BID.
Upper Reaches Prayer Barge
Upper Reaches CIO is a charity with a heart for prayer in Temple Quay, the central business district of Bristol. We love to pray for the people and businesses working in Temple Quay - we provide the beautiful Prayer Barge by Valentines Bridge for prayer and reflection - and we also provide a listening service on the Prayer Barge and to local businesses. For more information see urtq.org
Together 4 Bristol
Together4Bristol (T4B) is a growing movement of churches, prayer groups and networks across the 'whole of life', to help the Christian community be good news for the Bristol region. Bristol Chaplaincy is partnering with T4B to establish a network of chaplains working across all sectors in the Bristol area.
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Bristol Street Pastors
Street Pastors patrol the city centre every Saturday night between 10 pm and 3 am and are available to listen, care and help anyone who is out and about enjoying Bristol’s nightlife.
Need someone to listen to you today?
FAQ
Common Questions
Chaplaincy is a recognised profession that provides a compassionate, safe and confidential service. Chaplaincy can bring faith, hope, care, support and guidance in everyday life, enabling people to move forward through the challenges they face.
As the old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. Often, by talking through a circumstance, whether it’s a family problem, a work stress issue or just day-to-day anxieties, you can get clarity on your situation. Chaplains listen and help to share the load of life.
We want to safeguard you and others, and we offer a 100% confidential service. There are specific legal requirements where we will not be able to keep confidentiality in a few very limited cases. Please feel free to ask for more information.
We offer a suite of services that can proactively help you and your workforce with well-being initiatives. From a calendar of events to a chaplain being available on-site offering 1:1 sessions and other support opportunities. A bespoke service can be agreed to meet your organisation’s specific requirements. See our Business Partnerships page for more information.
You may wish to attend one of our connection points or you can find one of our street chaplains who will be able to help you, out and about in the city centre during the day. You can find out more about our chaplains on the About Us page, to help you choose who you connect with. You can also request a one-to-one appointment with us on our listening services page.
Regardless of your faith or belief system, we are still here to listen. If you would rather speak to someone who share’s your views, then let us know and we can connect you with a chaplain from your religion.
Firstly, we aim to show compassion to all those who connect with a chaplain. In your 1:1, we will chat with you about whatever is on your mind, and the meeting will last approximately 45 minutes. Don’t worry, the coffee is on us!
There are many aspects of our service we offer free of charge to individuals. Please contact us if you would like to find out more or if you would like to donate to Bristol Chaplaincy so that we can continue to help others.
If you have any specific prayer requests, then please email them to info@bristolchaplaincy.co.uk,. We will pray for you and would love to keep in touch and hear good news stories of prayers being answered.