The vital role chaplaincy plays in supporting ambulance service colleagues was placed firmly in the spotlight during a recent visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury to SECAmb’s Medway Make Ready Centre.
The Most Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in March 2026 and is the first woman to hold the office, spent time with colleagues from frontline operations, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the NHS 111 Contact Centre during her visit on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
Hosted by Trust Chaplain, Canon Ellen Couzens, alongside Chaplain, Vic Twine, Interim Chief Executive, Jen Allan and Chief Nursing Officer, Jo Turner, the Archbishop toured the Medway site to gain a deeper understanding of the Trust’s chaplaincy service and the support it provides to colleagues.
A key focus of the visit was the contribution chaplains make to colleague wellbeing, offering pastoral care, guidance and a listening ear to colleagues of all faiths and none. The service supports staff working in a range of challenging environments, helping them navigate the emotional demands that can come with delivering urgent and emergency healthcare.
During her visit, Dame Sarah met Medway Operational Team Leader, Andrea McLean, who has dedicated more than 30 years to the ambulance service. Andrea shared her experiences of chaplaincy support and reflected on its development over the years, having been with the service since chaplaincy was first introduced in Kent.
The Archbishop also visited the Trust’s Emergency Operations Centre, where she met EOC Chaplain, Reverend David Jones and learned more about the support available to call handlers, dispatchers and clinicians working in a fast-paced and often demanding environment.
Her tour continued in the NHS 111 Contact Centre, where she met Chaplain, Charlie Bunker, who also works as a 111 Health Advisor Team Leader. Charlie spoke about how his dual role enables him to provide both practical and pastoral support to colleagues while helping patients access the care they need.
The visit held particular significance for Dame Sarah, who spent decades working in the NHS before entering ordained ministry. A former Chief Nursing Officer for England, she has a longstanding connection to healthcare and a keen interest in supporting those working on the frontline of patient care.
The afternoon concluded with an informal evening prayer gathering, providing an opportunity for reflection and bringing to a close a visit that highlighted the important role chaplaincy continues to play in supporting the wellbeing of ambulance service colleagues.