There was a warmth to the room as I walked in for the first time; with people chatting over a cup of tea, sofas with bright cushions, sudoku books and a piano, it really is a place like no other on campus.
Once inside the Faith Space, you immediately forget whatever may be going on outside that room, you’re inside an oasis of calm. This ‘oasis’ is something Jo Parkin, the campus chaplain, really saw the area becoming when designing and decorating the room. Social worker turned chaplain, Jo spoke about the Faith Space and how students benefit from it, in regard to their mental health.
The traditional role of a chaplain is ‘to be involved with others in the provision of holistic care’ according to cuh.nhs.uk. As a university chaplain, Jo’s title means she has to be flexible enough to take on “every shade of concern”. The Faith Space is designed to be inviting for anyone that needs someone to talk too, whether that be Jo herself, another member of the chaplaincy team, or another student that visits the space. Entering the faith space, there are many posters, leaflets and messages informing people of the events they hold. Jo explained how first year students tend to struggle a lot due to the lack of structure and the overwhelming changes that occur during the first weeks and months. The informal gatherings held are there to help people feel less lonely, meet people that are feeling the same way, and to start conversations.
The main misconception discussed was the name. The ‘Faith Space’ often gives the impression that the space is only for those that are religious, when in fact Jo is reassuring by explaining that its “an accessible space for everyone…for all faith and none”. The intention of this name was to allow those with religious beliefs to feel accepted, yet the choice of ‘faith’ also referred to the meaning of having complete trust and confidence in something, so those with no religious belief also feel welcome. From this confusion, Jo has said how she wishes she had chosen a different name, perhaps “the oasis or the sanctuary.”
In the past couple of years there has been a national increase in poor mental health, Jo has also noticed this at the University of Gloucestershire. When asked what the most common concern people tend to visit the space about, Jo could not narrow it down to a single factor; she explained that no matter what the problem is, it is always best to catch it early to prevent further issues. As the university chaplain at Park campus, Jo is trained in mindfulness and meditation, and often visits students and staff to teach and give advice on mental health; her number one tip is to download the free Headspace app. Headspace teaches ‘mindfulness techniques that bring calm, wellness and balance to your life’ with short exercises, music, and soundscapes.
Although her job can be stressful, tough and touches on sensitive issues, she has support from the University as she says it’s “ahead of the game” in comparison to services others are offering. Jo is proud to say “it’s a privilege to be with the students at the University of Gloucestershire during this stage of their life,” and says that “The Faith Space is like my second home.”
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