From a potentially life-saving brief encounter with a homeless teen to friendships that span decades, Railway Mission chaplains bring hope, comfort and support to rail staff and passengers alike.
Railway Mission chaplains, like Alan Thorpe and Graham Whitehead, frequently go above and beyond in providing essential support on life’s journey.
Alan met Sarah Harrison more than 28 years ago when she worked at Newport Station and later they shared an office at Bristol Temple Meads.
Always available to support to Sarah, Alan proved invaluable when she and her colleagues were made redundant.
“The rug was pulled from under us and, as manager, I felt responsible…it was very difficult,” explains Sarah.
“As a result, I was very ill and hospitalised. Alan came up on the train because he was worried about me. It was one of the most important visits. Seeing him was the best medicine.
“Alan is truly selfless and has always kept in touch with me through my darkest hours.
“He’s been a wonderful support and we have remained firm friends.”
What started as a normal day for Graham Whitehead turned into one of the most emotionally challenging.
Avanti West Coast staff at Glasgow Central Station directed Graham to an 18-year-old who had been thrown out of his Liverpool home and was on a train to London.
“He had been riding on trains and sleeping on stations without a phone or money,” says Graham.
“He was adamant his parents did not want him to return home and that he did not want to go back.
“Like so many young homeless people, he thought he would go to London. My heart sank and I talked to him about the way so many young homeless people who go to London find themselves very vulnerable to exploitation, harassment and abuse.”
Graham gave the hungry teen his own sandwich and soft drink and travelled in the same carriage to Carlisle.
Over coffee at the station, Graham discovered more about the teenager’s plight and persuaded him to seek the safety of a homeless shelter overnight.
Despite support from British Transport Police (BTP), Graham was unable to secure homeless provision in the city and convinced the reluctant teenager he would have a better chance in Liverpool.
Securing free travel from Avanti, Graham accompanied the teenager to Preston and ensured the Liverpool train conductor and BTP at Liverpool Lime Street would support him.
“Once his train departed I was able to release my own emotions and turn towards home.
“Throughout the day I had received prayer support from my fellow chaplains and Christians from my home church, helping me to keep my own feelings in check.
“On the train home I allowed myself to weep for the hard world that the boy found himself in.
“I don’t know whether he found the help he needed or was able to be reconciled to his family. Whether he could find a way forward at all.
“All I could do is entrust him to the God of Love, who does not abandon any of us,” adds Graham.
Liam Johnston, Railway Mission Executive Director, comments: “These stories highlight the diversity of our chaplains’ work and demonstrate the lengths they will go to support an individual. They are just two of many hundreds of examples of the team going above and beyond.”
Railway Mission is a national charity which provides a regionally-based chaplaincy service aiming to be an impartial ‘friend’ to those who work on the railway. Regardless of faith, gender, sexual orientation or position in the industry, chaplains offer face-to-face year-round support, especially during an individual’s time of loneliness, stress, depression, bereavement or illness.
Photo credit: Railway Mission
