Meet the chaplaincy team

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.

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.

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.

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 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 Started in December 2018 my first full time Healthcare chaplaincy role. Prior to this I have spent 30 years leading 5 different churches in various parts of the country including Sunderland and Guernsey as an ordained Elim minister.

Whilst leading Hope Baptist Church in Plymouth I also volunteered at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital, and undertook training with Peninsula Initiative Community Chaplaincy providing holistic support for people in prison and then through the gate upon release, and during those first critical days, weeks and months.

I have a great interest in supporting the Palliative Care Team and their patients.

I have worked as Chaplain at Aldeburgh Hospital for 13 years. The hospital has a small number of in-patient beds but also fulfills many other needs for the local community – physiotherapy, daycare 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.