Meet the chaplaincy team

I am the newest member of the Chaplaincy team and joined the Trust in April 2026.

After doing academic research in the UK and Latin America, I have worked as parish priest in the Church of England. Working in a wide range of different communities in Liverpool, Sheffield, and Portsmouth. Recently, I worked for a global charity involved in health and community development projects across the world. I have also taught theology to men and women preparing to be lay and ordained ministers in the Church of England.

I have worked as a Chaplain and Deputy Head of Chaplaincy at Barts Health NHS Trust in London. Before joining ESNEFT, I led the Multifaith Chaplaincy team at the University of East London. I love the work of Chaplaincy. One of the recurring themes in the many different roles I’ve had over the years has been the value I’ve attached to listening.

I’ve always regarded it as a privilege to be alongside people at some of the most demanding periods of their lives. Focused and attentive listening allows people the time and space to discern what’s most significant for them in that moment. Helping them to identify the resources they have within themselves and meet the challenges ahead.

I am passionate about Chaplaincy. Being here for everyone, whether or not they have a religious faith. I am looking forward to exploring how our work as a Chaplaincy team can continue to best support both staff and patients across the Trust.

I am married with three children and I have two lovable but badly behaved dogs. Outside work, I enjoy cycling, gardening, reading, and playing the classical guitar.

I started my chaplaincy training in January 2022 and was appointed 1st January 2023.

My previous life was one of paint, sand, lego and playdough because I was an Early Years Teacher for over 30 years. I started my working career in Basildon before moving to a school in Essex and finally running my own Early Years Setting. I love children’s artwork and my favourite Early Years author is Martin Waddell. Working within Early Years was a joy and I counted it a privilege to be part of the life of children and their families.

I am married with two adult children. I enjoy being part of my local church and I love reading, walking, and being outside in all kinds of weather. I have come to Chaplaincy later in life but count it an honour to be able to listen to people and support them however I can.

Based at Ipswich Hospital

I was trained and ordained as an Elim Minister over thirty years ago, gaining pastoral experience in that period. A decision to become bi-vocational led me to undertake Healthcare Chaplaincy training in 2019 with Guys and St. Thomas. I am UKBHC registered and took up the role of Trust Chaplain with ESNEFT in 2022. Healthcare chaplaincy, for me,  is an opportunity to be the ‘non-anxious presence’ journeying with patients, carers and staff, when invited and however brief, through the highs, lows, mundane and significant periods of their lives.

I am Ghanaian and married with a daughter and a granddaughter; enjoy connecting with people, walking and being a couch Liverpool FC fan.

My name is Adele (not that one!) and I am a humanist chaplain.  I completed my training with the Humanists UK Non-Religious Pastoral Support team in 2020. I have been involved with local chaplaincy since then.

I have a particular focus on young people’s chaplaincy. I thus also work as a chaplain at a range of local institutions such as schools, the University of Suffolk, Suffolk Scouts and EACH. Of course, I also offer chaplaincy services to anyone who needs it.

I was born in Dundee, Scotland and moved to Ipswich in 2000.  I live here with my husband, my greyhound Lettuce, and my fridge emptying teenage son.  My day-to-day job is as a humanist celebrant. I conduct meaningful ceremonies for the important points in people’s lives.  I’m also a school speaker for Humanists UK. I explain Humanism in understandable terms to young people as this is part of the national RE Curriculum.  Before this I worked in web development for a range of big-name companies such as the National Archives and the BBC.

In my spare time I am a Group Scout Leader and Cub Leader with a local group. I love the energy of 8-10 years olds, and it always cheers me up when I’ve had a tough week!  I am a regular player at my local lawn bowls club, Roundwood, and enjoy being out playing in the sun (less so in the rain). I am also the facilitator of the Ipswich and Felixstowe Death Cafes. We offer a monthly meeting for those who are looking for a positive environment to discuss death, dying, grief and bereavement.

I love the opportunity that chaplaincy gives me to meet new people. I enjoy celebrating their successes and triumphs and help them through the hardest points in their lives.

I was ordained a priest in the Church of England in 2024, having previously worked for many years in different roles in youth work and social support. During part of my curacy post I completed a chaplaincy placement with the team at ESNEFT and was honoured to be asked to join the team as an Honorary Chaplain.

Through my own experiences I have become passionate about supporting patients and their families as they experience hospital settings and this is an area of ministry I feel particularly drawn to. I find journeying with others and getting to hear and understand their stories to be incredibly powerful. I’m passionate about making a difference in a whole range of areas, with particular focus surrounding maternity care, dysautonomia and mental health.

My husband Sam and I have a little boy who keeps us on our toes! I enjoy getting to see live music, exploring new places and reading.

I originally hail from Scotland but have lived in many beautiful parts of the UK over the years.

I trained as a minister and a social worker before obtaining a PhD on staff experiences of coping with death and dying and becoming an academic.

This journey brought me back full circle and I have now worked as a chaplain at a number of hospitals, supporting those of all faiths and beliefs.  Although mainly based at Ipswich, I can also be found at the other hospitals covered by the Trust.

I love my work, listening to and supporting patients, families/ friends and staff.

Feel free to say ‘Hi’ if you see me out and about.

Hello my name is Jvalasara and I am a Buddhist chaplain within the Triratna movement. I have been involved in Chaplaincy work across different sectors during my time with Triratna and I am passionate about helping as many as possible in their journeys.

Being alongside people during the highs and lows of life, offering a listening ear, with a gentle presence to support them to make sense of their experience is always such a privilege and I feel very grateful for being able to be part of this team.

I enjoy playing the piano, singing, keeping fit and spending time with my family.

Since completing my studies to become a qualified Imam and Chaplain, I have been actively involved in chaplaincy across various public sectors. My connections to North Essex and East Suffolk run deep, having grown up here and worked here, and it is a privilege to serve the communities that shaped me.

I’m passionate about supporting the spiritual development of the next generation, dedicating much of my time to teaching and mentoring within the community. Faith and pastoral care are at the heart of my work and where I feel I thrive most—offering guidance, compassion, and a listening ear.

Outside of chaplaincy, I enjoy spending time with family, exploring new places, and staying active. I strive to remain approachable and helpful, always ready to support others wherever I can.

My name is Sarah, and I am married with three children and a dog.  I wanted to be a hospital chaplain since I was five years old, when I saw my Grandad’s girlfriend struggling in a care setting, and felt that nobody should ever have to go through tough stuff alone.  I later thought that I might be a nurse, but as a care assistant, I was absolutely hopeless at driving wheelchairs and making beds!  Instead I got ordained into the Church of England in 2008, with the hope that I might one day be a hospital chaplain, and 17 years and three children later, my dream came true.

We all moved to Colchester a few years ago, so that I could take a role as a Pioneer Minister on a new housing estate, finding new ways to connect, build community and work towards peoples’ spiritual needs.  I have spent a lot of time doing my favourite thing – having cups of tea or coffee and some really amazing chats with very many different people!  As part of my community role I became a chaplain in two different secondary schools before beginning my chaplaincy with ESNEFT in 2025.

I am a real family person, and love my household, but also I really love being a daughter, sister and an auntie.  At the same time, I love space to myself.  I grew up on Worthing seafront where my Dad sold fish for a living, and so I do love to be beside the seaside – just me and my dog, out in Creation and looking for birds and wildlife.  I also enjoy reading; I love the female classic authors – Jane Austen, Daphne Du Maurier and the Bronte sisters, and can balance out these more serious tomes with children’s stories – Harry Potter OF course, but also, The Tiger who came to Tea (how lovely!).  I also enjoy autobiographies, especially ones that tie in with what I am watching on television.  My current favourite is by Miranda Hart which is the best book on self-care that I have read in a long time, reminding us that we are all loved and have unique value.  Please remember that!

My name is Faiza Hussain. For nearly two years I have been volunteering for Ipswich Hospital to help deliver chaplaincy services. I try to help patients through their time of grief and injury by being a supportive shoulder to lean on and talk to about whatever they want to. As a practising Muslim and through my love of Islam, my journey has brought me here over the years as we place a lot of emphasis on visiting the sick of our community, being a good neighbour and being there for one another through the good times and the bad.

I am a student and teacher of the Holy Book Quran and Islamic education. I have worked to deliver on spreading religious education and understanding of Quran within the Muslim community in Ipswich since 2017 by arranging various regular study circles and by working closely with local Mosques, also by offering mentoring and spiritual counselling. I believe in helping people find peace and comfort through faith and spirituality.

Since coming to Ipswich 18 years ago I have been running a Guest House here with my husband and now 2 children. I am fluent in 2 languages and can speak English and Urdu.

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, gardening, reading non-fiction, painting, eating out and appreciating God’s beauty around me.

I am a retired social worker. I was brought up in a traditional orthodox Jewish family. I moved to Suffolk in 1992 to work for the Probation Service. Since 2002 I have been very involved in building the Suffolk Liberal Jewish Community. I have also been involved in local inter-faith activities and recently created part of the training for end-of-life Doulas, focus on faith, belief, and rituals.

In retirement my interests are making music. I play the vibraphone and piano; reading, trying to keep fit. I have always valued honest and open conversations with people. During Lockdown, I completed an MA in Jungian and Post Jungian studies. My dissertation was on puppetry. I live with my partner, Michael, a retired teacher of fine art.

Based at Ipswich Hospital

I started my Chaplaincy Training with Cambridge Theological Federation in 2020 and joined the happy team in Ipswich Hospital in August 2022 following my placement at West Suffolk Hospital and a brief Free- Church Chaplaincy post at HMP Stocken.

I hold a PhD, in Biblical studies. MA in Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy, and SACDip in Substance Misuse Counselling. I’m passionate about the role of Theology towards societal change, its impact on young people, and its contemporary cultural issues.

I have served as assistant Pastor at a local RCCG parish since 2006, where I continue to offer leadership and pastoral support to our growing congregation. I also have experience in Youth work, Substance Misuse Treatment as well as Community Radio.

I enjoy being ‘out and about’ in the wards, supporting patients, their families and members of our staff of all faiths and beliefs. My hobbies include reading, spending time with family, and listening to all kinds of Gospel music, as well as writing my own Christian rap, Afro-beat and Gospel reggae songs.

I came into post as an ESNEFT Trust Chaplain during 2020, but have been a part of the chaplaincy team here since 2017. I am based at Colchester Hospital, but also cover Ipswich, Clacton, Harwich, Felixstowe and Bluebird Lodge

I trained in theology at Regents Theological College and was subsequently ordained into the Elim ministry. I completed my studies at King’s College London and ministered in the London area for some years.

I am married with two daughters, who keep me quite busy and enjoy travelling, reading and playing squash and racketball to keep fit.

I am registered with the College of Healthcare Chaplains and take a particular interest in supporting palliative and end of life patients and their families, as well as those with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. I am here to offer support to both staff and patients of all beliefs and those who do not consider themselves religious. I can also be heard broadcasting the chaplaincy service of worship on Colchester Hospital Radio on Sunday mornings. Do tune in if you are so minded.

I was ordained priest in the Church of England in June 2025 and am serving as Curate in the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Previously I have worked for various local authorities both in Suffolk and London in the Library Services, Legal Services and in School Governance, before becoming the administrator for my parish church.

Working alongside and for other people has always been important to me and more so now through my ministry. I found the work of chaplain both challenging and uplifting and joined the Chaplains at ESNEFT as Honorary Chaplain in 2025.

I am married and have two grown up children and two grandchildren, enjoy listening to other people’s stories, singing and crochet.

My name is Premchand and as well as being the Honorary Hindu chaplain within ESNEFT, I am also the Hindu Priest for the Colchester, Ipswich and Chelmsford surrounding areas. I am also a Hindu prison chaplain.

I was born and brought up in my native Mauritius, but also lived and ministered for many years in Italy before coming to the UK. I speak English, French and Hindi as well as Italian.

I am available to support Hindu patients and staff within the hospital.

I have worked as Chaplain at Aldeburgh Hospital for 13 years.

The hospital has a small number of in-patient beds but also fulfils many other needs for the local community – physiotherapy, day care centre, dialysis unit, X-ray clinic, chemotherapy clinic, dental care and other specialist clinics. Many of these save patients from having to make a long journey to Ipswich at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable.

My role involves ‘being there’ for patients, relatives and staff. Regular services are held in the Day Centre, at which all are welcome. Bedside Holy Communion is available when needed. We have a Quiet Room for confidential conversation, ‘time out’ and where relatives can rest during prolonged periods of watching by the side of sick family members.

My name is Peter. I worked as a Lloyd’s Broker for Willis for many years, including in Germany. I was ordained in 2009, having completed a chaplaincy placement at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London and I subsequently served as a chaplain there for 7 years. On arrival in Suffolk I became a Bank Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital in 2017. I live in Woodbridge and also serve St Mary’s Church there in a retired capacity.