King’s College London Chaplaincy

Grant Awarded 2024-2025: £2,500

On 3 July 2025, more than 80 chaplains from 44 UK universities gathered for the Connection and Collaboration Multi-Faith and Belief Conference, a vibrant one-day event designed to bring together chaplains across faiths and beliefs. The conference provided a warm, inclusive space for participants to connect, learn, and explore shared challenges in supporting diverse communities.

The day began with small “home group” discussions, using specially crafted Conversation Cards to spark meaningful dialogue on themes like personal beliefs, community, and interfaith understanding. These interactive sessions helped build new relationships and deepen conversations across faiths and beliefs. Rabbi Alex Goldberg, Principal Chaplain at the University of Surrey, delivered an inspiring keynote speech. Drawing on his experience as one of the first non-Christian lead chaplains in higher education, he highlighted the need for a collaborative, diverse and adaptable student-centred approach to chaplaincy. In the afternoon, attendees chose from seven workshops covering a range of topics — from youth engagement and wellbeing chaplaincy to fostering belonging and supporting Humanist students and staff. Participants found the sessions insightful, thought-provoking, and valuable for refreshing their own approaches.

The conference closed with a panel discussion where delegates and organisers reflected on the day’s insights and shared ideas for ongoing collaboration and support. This event sparked rich interfaith and belief dialogue and strengthened networks across institutions. Attendees appreciated the diversity of voices and left feeling a renewed sense of community and encouragement.

To support chaplaincy work beyond the conference, participants received a booklet of reflections, prayers, and poems representing many faiths and beliefs, the Conversation Cards for ongoing dialogue, and a Religion and Worldviews game from Imperial College Chaplaincy designed to boost religious literacy on campus. Looking ahead, the next conference will be hosted by a Midlands university, as this gathering moves toward becoming an annual event. The conference has also led to the creation of ‘UK HE Chaplains Together’ — a new network launching a website soon to share resources, foster collaboration, and create inclusive spaces for chaplains from all backgrounds to learn and grow together.