Introducing Lead Chaplains
We are very excited to be appointing our first paid Lead Chaplains at Langley Trust. Over the years our volunteer chaplains have made a huge difference to the lives of our clients and staff. Speaking always of the love of God in Jesus, coming alongside our clients and praying frequently for the Holy Spirit to fall on our services, our staff, our clients and their families.
A number of our chaplains are trained in chaplaincy, and we are witnessing an increasingly deep, faith-filled and professional service across the Trust. As we approach our 70th anniversary our vision is of teams of chaplains in every service led by paid part-time Lead Chaplains, who with more hours can give leadership locally, working with staff and local churches to ensure all at Langley can encounter the living God and are offered strong followthrough care.
Rev Preb Andy Rider Director of Chaplaincy Services
“It was tragic that a guy who was so open to faith didn’t get the support he needed when he left prison”
We caught up with Jasper, our first Lead Chaplain, to learn more about his role. Jasper is based at our Bradford Supported Housing service which comprises of 8 properties across Bradford with capacity for 45 clients.
Tell us how you came to be a chaplain at Langley?
If you don’t mind, I’ll go back a bit further in my history. When I was younger, as part of a church youth project I got to know a young person, and he eventually ended up in prison.
Several years later, we exchanged letters and he came to faith in the prison… but when he left he didn’t return to church. I felt it was tragic that a guy who was so open to faith didn’t get the support he needed when he left prison.
That stayed with me for many years, and more recently I felt led to be involved with people who were in or leaving prison. I applied to be a volunteer chaplain at Ashdene in Wakefield and when I was told about the Lead Chaplain position I thought this is something I’d like to do. I want to see more chaplains making a huge difference to the lives of these people.
What have been some encouraging moments?
It is so encouraging how many clients have been open to allowing me to speak into their lives and support and guide them. We recently took three clients to the Langley Encounter Day. The speaker talked about how Christ had helped him start living a different, freer and better life… all three clients were really impacted.
What excites you about your role?
What excites me is the opportunity to develop a team and to get alongside many clients who are looking for pastoral care. I hope we’re able to position a chaplain in each property. There’s no way one or two chaplains can cover all the properties, and without building relationships why would a client speak to a chaplain?
The only way you can really do that is by being present. Once that happens, you can see the potential to really impact and see transformation in many, many clients.
What would you say about Langley and its impact?
I think Langley is a great organisation I’m very encouraged by the people and by the vision. Because it’s big and has a Christ focus, it has huge potential to impact many lives. I really believe God is wanting to work with the last, the least, the lost and by doing this work, we’re partnering with what God is doing right now amongst us.
Read Jasper’s Devotional and more in the Summer 2026 Edition of Breakout
Supporting Our Lead Chaplains
We have recently recruited another Lead Chaplain for Eliora, another of our dispersed supported housing services, and are looking to recruit in other services soon. These new roles have only been made possible through raising additional funds. If you would like to learn more or to give specifically to support a Lead Chaplain at one of our services please get in touch below.
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