Award for University Chaplaincy Team
The 'outstanding' contribution of the chaplaincy team at the University of Glamorgan has been recognised with an award.
The ecumenical team, headed by Baptist minister the Revd Vaughan Rees (second left) and part supported by a Baptist Union of Great Britain Home Mission grant, received the award for 'a team whose efforts and achievement have made an outstanding contribution to the University and its various communities' at the annual staff recognition awards ceremony.
Mr Rees is the director of Chaplaincy Services and leads a diverse team of part-time associate chaplains and staff, alongside a number of volunteers serving a University community of around 25,000 students and 2,000 members of staff.
The chaplaincy is a partnership between the University and the five main denominations in Wales: Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and United Reformed. It is financed jointly by the University and the churches. As well as Mr Rees, Baptist ministers the Revd Susan Stevenson and the Revd Ray Vincent are members of the team.
The nomination stated the team makes 'a valuable contribution to the University aspiration of community, seemingly working around the clock, endeavouring to sustain a culture of friendship, support and welcome in a truly inclusive way.'
The support given by the chaplaincy to staff at different levels, including discussion of confidential and sensitive case work and a range of services from mentor support to invitations to Christmas dinner for international students who might otherwise be alone, was expressed in the nomination.
It went on to say that the team works hard to 'sustain a distinct culture which is inviting, not just to certain communities or stakeholders, but to everyone in the University.'
Mr Rees said, 'We are very proud to receive this award. Chaplaincy is a service inspired and driven by faith and is open to the whole University community irrespective of creed or culture.
'This award signifies the value that the University places on faith-led Chaplaincy Services and I want to pay tribute to the whole team, especially our many volunteers from the churches and the student community who make our ministry possible.'