A CHAPLAINCY service has been launched in Barnard Castle to help people deal with life’s struggles.
YMCA Teesdale, which is now part of YMCA North Tyneside, has teamed up with St Mary’s Church in Barnard Castle to offer the service, which is open to everyone.
YMCA Teesdale’s operations director, Rachel Dyne, said: “This is all about bringing the church into the community. We had a conversation about how we matched and what the Christian part of the YMCA meant to us as an organisation. It is not about pushing religion or the church into someone. It is about the ethos that YMCA and the church have and that is what brought us together.”
Chaplain John Moore, who is a church member, will be available for a chat every Monday at the YMCA offices in Galgate between 1pm and 3pm. He is also the chaplain for Barnard Castle Freemasons. Mr Moore said:” This is open for everyone and it is a coffee and a chat in an approachable and safe environment. People can come to ask the big questions about life or even the little stresses that can cause them concern in daily life. It is non-judgmental because we know what is a small problem to one person could be the world to someone else.”
It is hoped that the service will provide support to older people who might be feeling increasingly isolated, families facing higher pressures and those facing relationship troubles. Ms Dyne said: “The chaplaincy service is a friendly place where people can come as they are and be met at their point of need. This might be thinking through life’s big decisions. The daily pressure of relationships, money and other expectations at times can feel suffocating.”
This is the first chaplaincy service to be offered in the North East by YMCA.
Appointments outside of the advertised times may be available on request.
For more information call Ms Dyne on 01833 695780 or email [email protected]. To contact the chaplain, email [email protected].
