The University offers a wide range of support services for the staff and students, including one of the oldest institutions in higher education; The Chaplaincy.

The three members of the chaplaincy offer a place for students in need to turn to, as well as hosting regular events for people to take part in. I talked to Jordan James, who explained what the Chaplaincy can do for you.

Jordan is one third of the chaplaincy. She’s from a Roman Catholic background, qualified in both Theology and European Cultural Studies, and works alongside a member of the Anglican church – Peter Jones, and also Bill Matthews who - represents the free churches.

Now you might need some of that explaining to you, and luckily that’s exactly one of the things the chaplaincy is set up to do. They offer any student the chance to learn more about other faiths and can help out in very particular ways.

For example, helping newcomers to find places of worship in Portsmouth or, answering a few questions about spirituality from a different perspective.

One of the things I learnt from our brief encounter was just what the free churches were; a group of churches not under the CofE or Catholic church, but united in resources and intent – from the Salvation Army to the Methodist church.

The Chaplaincy itself works a little like the free churches group; broadly speaking they offer personal support to the individual, tailored to the individual.

Though the position is traditionally Christian within the UK, they can offer uniquely spiritual and personal support to anyone who seeks it. Jordan is very definite that people from any level or school of faith are welcome to come to them for help, advice or information, and the nature of that help will depend entirely on what they need.

So, whilst of course the Chaplaincy is perfect for helping anyone out with a crisis of faith or who’s specifically interested in theology, they’re also there for more general help – if you feel depressed, lonely or stressed out, they’re there to help you.

You can find them in the Oasis Suite on the ground floor of the Nuffield centre, and invite anyone to pop over for a coffee and a chat or more serious discussion from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday.

They also offer anyone the opportunity to take part in regular discussion groups throughout the year.

One of their main events is the aptly named ‘Monday main event’, held on the first Monday of each month, which offer presentations by lecturers and other members of staff on a subject of their choice, followed by a brief discussion.

The presentations are aimed at offering a general audience an insight or perspective on to a variety of subjects, and give people the chance to discuss the topic with others in a relaxed atmosphere.

‘Kaleidoscope’ is also on offer every Thursday, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, and is similar but offers light refreshments and the opportunity for students to get involved in making their own presentations on a topic they care about and want to discuss.

It’s Jordan’s first year as a chaplain at Portsmouth, and she’s impressed with the turnout and enthusiasm students have shown in what the chaplaincy offers.

At the next Kaleidoscope, she’ll be doing a brief presentation on ‘The good, the bad and the ugly’ – looking at theological aesthetics throughout our culture, and invites anyone interested to come down to the Oasis Suite on Thursday for a look.