In person - we are based in Queen Street South Annexe - building 19 on the campus map. 

Telephone: 01484 472090
E-mail: faithcentre@hud.ac.uk

Click on the icons to follow us on twitter   or like us on facebook

Gill Atkinson-Heck, Anita Raggett, Diane Komorowski and Peter Clarke

What is a Chaplain?               

A Chaplain is someone who can be there for you when others may not have time. We aim to make sure that there is someone around mid week but since we are all part-time this is quite a tall order! We are here to listen to people’s experiences, joy and sorrows. We offer general support, friendship, prayer and spiritual guidance to all who seek it. (Oh, and we also like to do this over a cuppa and a biscuit!)

To find out about each chaplain or for their contact details, please click on their name to be directed to their page:

Fr Peter Clarke (Catholic Chaplain)

Deacon Gill Atkinson-Heck (Methodist Chaplain)

Rev'd Anita Raggett (Anglican Chaplain)

For faith advisors for Jewish students; Hindu students and the Barnsley Campus, please click on the links.

The chaplains are supported by an assistant, Diane Komorowski who will help with any general enquiries.  Please email her at faithcentre@hud.ac.uk

The Chaplains also run a group called MAC and Friends (Methodists, Anglicans, Catholics and Friends) on Wednesday evenings during term time.  This is a group open to all who want to learn more about the Christian faith or grow in their personal faith. – for more details please see our Facebook Page.

At the Faith Centre we have:

A Community Room - We’ve got sofas, free tea and coffee and sometimes even biscuits and cake! You can play games or play on the Wii. A plasma screen advertises the events that take place here and other info. The lounge is a relaxing and friendly place to come and make or meet friends.

Brothers and Sisters Prayer Rooms - (with wudhu facilities) where you can come to offer daily prayer, Jummah prayer is also offered here in term time. For more details please visit: www.hud-isoc.org

A Christian Prayer Room – where you can come to offer daily prayer.  During term time, Catholic mass is available on Thursdays and Fridays 12:30pm and Anglican Communion takes place on the first Monday of each month at 12.30pm.  For other seasonable acts of worship please see our facebook page or the plasma screen. This space is bookable for group worship.

A Multi Faith Prayer Room – which is available for people of other faiths. This space is bookable for group worship.

A Quiet Room – This is a place for calm and contemplation without the noise of the outside world.

A Meeting Room – which can be booked for meetings etc.

If you wish to book a room or get more info email faithcentre@hud.ac.uk 

Interfaith Events

In all interfaith events and in our general relationships we will seek at all times to be guided by the framework created by the national body: Interfaith Network UK

Together with Kirklees Faiths Forum we host the following events:

Faith Share – A series of Lunchtime Events

These 'get togethers' offer students the opportunity to discuss in small groups, issues of faith and morality. Come and hear what people of other faiths have to say. Share your own views & share lunch.

These will be held in the Faith Centre Community Lounge 1pm - 2pm with opportunities to come and go as lectures permit. Lunch is provided from 12:30pm when we can meet and chat.

The next Faith Share is on 29th February at 1pm and the subject is Conflict and Reconcilliation within our different faith traditions.  Please feel free to come and go as lectures permit.

Focus on Faith – A series of talks over the academic year

These events look at key topics in the community which are important to us all, giving people of faith the chance to contribute to today’s big debates. Each event has a national keynote speaker and local speakers from various faiths. It also offers the opportunity to share your views in small groups.

(see our Facebook page for more info)

All will be held in Canalside West lecture theatre, Firth St.

Food will be provided from 6.15pm for a 7pm start with a view to finishing at 8.30pm.

Chill Out in the Faith Centre

We want to suppoprt all students during the exam period.  To this end there is a study room available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (apart from Friday 12.00 noon until 2.30pm.

We are also scheduling films every afternoon and two on a Friday until the end of the exam period.  Check the schedule on Facebook or on our plasma screen.  Hot chocolate and biscuits will also be available, along with the regular tea and coffee to help you chill out

Faith Share

We won't be holding any formal faith share events this term due to the pressures of exams.  New events will be scheduled next term.

Bereavement Group

Bereavement groups are run from time to time depending on the number of people interested in participating.  If you require any further details; please contact Gill Atkinson-Heck (extension 2090) or email gill.atkinson-heck@hud.ac.uk

The Faith Centre Newsletter

We are pleased to announce that we are now producing a termly Newsletter covering forthcoming events, informing of past events and introducing key people around the Faith Centre.  Please download your copy and feel free to pass it on to anyone who wishes to know more about the Faith Centre.

Toilet Twinning

Faith Centre users and the University Vice Chancellor have donated £180 which means 3 toilets are twinned with latrines in the remote Giharo Commune in Rutana Province in Burundi, Africa. Look out for the framed certificates when you visit us.

For more information on toilet twinning go to: www.toilettwinning.org.uk

Places of worship in Huddersfield

We've been working with local churches and the Huddersfield Interfaith Council to provide information about local places of worship for people of different faiths.  We hope you find the information helpful and soon settle into a place where you feel you belong.

Christian churches

• A Church Near You will help you find a local church
• Christian churches situated near halls of residence
• A guide to Huddersfield churches in Huddersfield Town Centre

Exploring the Christian Faith

We have a small team of Christian chaplains who are available at the Faith Centre if you have questions or would like to explore the Christian faith.  Do drop in for a coffee or send one of us an email.  Otherwise you might want to visit some of the local churches (our local churches guide might help - see above) or spend sometime visiting some web sites.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Alternatively, you might like to explore the websites of the churches who provide or are connected with the Chaplains at the University:

• Anglican
• Baptist
• Catholic
• Methodist
• United Reformed

Islamic places of worship

Please see attached for a pdf map of Islamic Places of Worship in the Huddersfield area

Other faiths

A Places of worship map for the Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Quaker and Sikh faiths in Huddersfield

Exploring other faiths

As Christian chaplains, it is difficult to give any informed advice on helpful websites, but a good starting place might be the BBC Religious homepage and the website for Faith Initiative. 

Another helpful place we have found is the website for Derby University's Multi-Faith Centre.

Multi-cultural calendar

There are a number of student faith societies already established at the University of Huddersfield.  These are listed below with links to their pages.  If you want to join, or set up your own socieity, you can do this through the Students' Union, Sports and Societies pages.

• Christian Union
• Hindu Society
• Islamic Society
• Redeemed Christian Fellowship
• SAMEEM Society
• Sikh Society

MAC & Friends – a group facilitated by the Chaplains for those connected with the major denominations. For more details please see our Facebook page.

MAC & Friends (Methodists, Anglicans, Catholics & Friends)

Join us every Wednesday during term time to discuss issues relating to the Christian faith.  All are welcome.

Food is offered from 5.00pm with discussions starting around 6.00pm.

Staff members: Anita Raggett, Gill Atkinson-Heck and Peter Clarke

Jummah Prayers

Prayers are held in the Faith Centre every Friday during term time.

The brothers and sisters entrances are signposted, the brothers enter around the back of the building, the sisters through the main entrance. The disabled entrance is through the main door.

Please contact ISOC for further details regarding times as these change during the year.

Family Bereavement Group

This group is aimed at people who have lost someone in their family and who would like to meet together in a small group with others who share that experience.

The group offers a place to find support, have time to reflect on and express feelings and thoughts about the bereavement.

If you are interested in joining this group or would like to find out more, please contact Gill Atkinson–Heck

E-mail: internalcounsel@hud.ac.uk

Pause for being: mindfulness based meditation and movement (for students)

Staff member: Gill Lathwell

Mindfulness can be defined as intentionally bringing awareness to whatever we are experiencing in the present moment in a non-judgmental and accepting way. It is a mental state of increased focus, heightened awareness, and openness.  When practiced regularly, it has been found to increase a sense of well-being, with both physical and mental health benefits.

Through breathing techniques, movement, and meditation, course participants will develop the ability to become more “present” with themselves. This helps people to handle difficult feelings, low mood, stress and pain. Mindfulness can increase resourcefulness in the face of difficulty and anxiety. Participants will be supported to develop their own individual healthy responses to stress.

The course is suitable for people who struggle with stress, low mood, and anxiety as well as those who wish to learn about mindfulness