Two schools in Felixstowe, the Federation of Fairfield and Colneis School, have appointed a volunteer chaplain to aid children with their mental health. Julie Ludditt, who assumed the role two weeks ago, aims to support the spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being of the students. The position is backed by the local charity Boost, known for establishing partnerships between faith and education.
Ms. Ludditt, an ordained minister with experience as a Salvation Army officer, family support worker, and chaplain with various cadet forces, is excited about building relationships with the pupils. She plans to create a safe space for children to open up about their concerns and eventually form a group of referred students seeking support.
The chaplain’s role goes beyond connecting children with the church, focusing on fostering the children’s curiosity about life. The approach involves starting conversations based on the students’ interests and what they want to discuss each day, with the aim of supporting their spiritual and mental development. The headteacher of the schools expressed delight in having Ms. Ludditt as the school chaplain, anticipating her contributions to meeting the children’s needs in the federation.
