Chaplain Yvonne

23/06/2026

Have you ever wondered what chaplaincy actually is?

Could God be calling you to serve your workplace, charity, neighbourhood, sports club, or community in a new way?

Join us for an Introduction to Chaplaincy workshop with Opa Geibel, who has over 15 years' experience in chaplaincy ministry and training.

📅 Friday 26th June
🕙 10:00am–12:00pm
📍 St Aidan's Church, Newbarns

We'll explore:
• What chaplaincy is
• Where to start
• What training is available
• How chaplaincy can make a difference in everyday life

There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

Places are free but booking is essential.

📧 [email protected]

23/06/2026

📣Addiction and Recovery support Group 📣

This is a free session for anyone struggling with alcohol or drug addiction. It is also suitable for people who think they may have an addiction problem.

Sessions run weekly:
📅 Every Thursday
⏰Between 10am and 12 o'clock
📍Sessions are held at the Hope Haven building, 40 King Street, Whitehaven

The group is facilitated by people with lived experience from well communities. There is no need to book, just turn up and get support.

22/06/2026

I practice yoga every day: morning and evening and combine it with my prayer time. There are many variations, including armchair and some years ago I developed Biblical Yoga which is used in Dementia Christian Services in care homes around the UK. It really is a very 'flexible' exercise 😀

Keen to try out yoga? Don’t worry about your age, your mobility, or your fitness levels.

Yoga can be adapted to fit your needs, at every stage of life.

In fact, yoga supports healthy ageing by helping improve balance, flexibility, strength, mobility, and mental well-being.

22/06/2026

Have you tried our Chair Based Exercise sessions?

We have an accessible venue for all ages 18+ years, all genders and abilities for anyone wanting to get fit, beat loneliness or to improve your wellbeing.

📍 The Community Centre Red Lonning, Whitehaven
📅 Every Tuesday
⏰classes start at 4pm

If you would like any more information, please get in touch on 01228 819101 (option 5) or send us an email [email protected]

19/06/2026

My role as Mental Health Chaplain involves supporting individuals as they seek to find and integrate into a local church community.

While theology is an important and foundational starting point, there are a few other things I consider:

🧠 Neurodiversity, Sensory, and Physical Layout. The physical environment matters deeply. Bright flashing lights, high decibel levels, or crowded lobbies can trigger sensory overload. I look for spaces that offer physical accessibility, predictable structures, or dedicated quiet areas for emotional regulation.

💬 Attitudes to Mental Health & Complex Needs. How does the community handle distress? I look for environments that reject the stigma of "lack of faith" and instead embrace with compassion complex needs making for a psychologically safe community. I look for a community that can safely support those who live with hearing voices to a reassuring community for those living with dementia.

👥 Age, Community, and Family Considerations. A spiritual home may need to take into consideration a person’s life stage. I consider whether there is an authentic peer community available, appropriate support for families, or intergenerational spaces where individuals feel genuinely valued rather than isolated.

🎵 Styles of Worship. Spiritual expression is deeply personal. I help individuals identify what feeds their soul—whether that is a quiet, reflective liturgy, a specific musical style, or an uplifting service that invites physical movement and high energy.

I provide support and advice to church leadership from how to create psychologically safe worship spaces to how to improve the physical environment.

The Lord is the strength of his people,
a saving refuge for the one he has anointed.
Save your people, Lord, and bless your heritage,
and govern them for ever. Psalm 27:8-9

Join us for mass this weekend. https://www.stmarysandstjosephs.com/mass-times.html

19/06/2026

18/06/2026

In chaplaincy, "loitering with intent" describes the practice of intentionally being present and accessible without an agenda and with the ultimate purpose of building trust, observing the needs of the people you are with and being available to listen. I have been to four Wellbeing Walks this week with the intention of being open to listening to mental health issues and responding to any faith matters that came up.

By definition, chaplaincy is an out-of-church service. It flips traditional ministry on its head. Instead of waiting for people to walk through the doors of a place of Worship, Chaplains are present in local communities. With no inpatient services available in my patch, I am a Chaplain based completely in Community covering about 1000sq km for Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. I meet people for walks, in libraries, GP surgeries, Community Hospitals, local organisations and one day a week at Hope Haven Community Mental Health Centre.

'Loitering with intent' on Wellbeing Walks works because:

🔹 You meet people in their communities and in an environment that feels comfortable to them.
🔹 It lowers the barriers to engaging as asking for help and support can be intimidating. By walking alongside people it removes intense eye contact, making deep or vulnerable conversations feel much safer.
🔹 It fostering spontaneous connection. Some people meet me for the first time and others have received 1-2-1 care but everyone is able to "opt-in" for a quick chat without booking an appointment.
🔹 It normalising Mental Health and conversations about Faith, Religions, Spirituality and Culture.

18/06/2026

Don't tackle domestic abuse on your own.
Call 999 in an emergency and 101 if it is a non-emergency.
You can also report online at: https://orlo.uk/9kDjg
Victim Support are also available 24/7 on 0808 1689 111.

18/06/2026