The new chaplain at Sizewell C is looking forward to becoming ‘a mate for the journey’ as the construction of the nuclear power station continues at pace on the Suffolk coast.
Rev Clive Mobbs started his new role on October 28, providing spiritual support to the growing team of people constructing the power station, and later when it begins operation, in a new partnership between the Church of England in Suffolk and Sizewell C.
He is just the third salaried chaplain in the UK to take on a role at a power station, following in the footsteps of Rev Ewen Huffman, who was the very first chaplain at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.
“I want to be a constant and steady force on the site,” he said. “A continual presence as people come and go throughout the project.
“Despite working on a huge infrastructure project, the people working there will still have all the joys and sorrows we all experience.
“I will be there to help people celebrate the highs and support them through their lows.
“I have been linking up with other chaplaincies across Suffolk already and have had some great advice from the chaplain at the University of Suffolk.
“They have been doing similar roles to my work at Sizewell but in different situations, so have given some fantastic advice and ideas for me to draw on.”
He retired last autumn from his role as Participation Manager at Suffolk County Council, working with his team to promote employment, education and training opportunities for 16 to 19-year-olds.
“Much of my work has been with young people in settings where they have left home for the first time and are finding their way in the world,” he said.
“There will be many young people, including around 1,500 apprentices, working on this project, which brings its own challenges as well as opportunities for them to shine.”
Clive said he has been in contact with Rev Ewen Huffman at Hinkley Point C to get advice on what to expect.
“I think they’ve learnt a lot from Ewen’s experience in Hinkley,” he said.
“He had started just before the Covid-19 pandemic, so I think that highlighted the need for the role – the challenges were multiplied as people were away from home and isolated to a certain extent.”
He said: “It’s absolutely wonderful and they are employing a chaplain at such an early stage in the project.
“They are really doing it in the project’s infancy. My hope is our ceiling can become their floor.
“Hinkley Point C has a medical centre – nurses, a doctor, physiotherapists, a physiologist, and all sorts of occupational therapists – so we have lots of people to look after people’s physical needs and a few hundred mental health first aiders.
“It was such an inciteful decision to recognise that people’s spirituality will need some care and support too – to really treat the whole person.”
Clive stressed the importance in his role of supporting those of all faiths, and none.
“I’m there for everybody, not just those who are Christians,” he said.
“The Church of England aims to be a Christian presence in all communities across the county, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a member of the Church or a regular congregant.
“My role at Sizewell will be very similar – I’m there for everybody.
“I will be reaching out to the various faith communities in the county once I start, that will be one of the first things I will be doing – but they can also reach out to me as well.
“It will also be important to work alongside the various parishes in the area, to work closely with them so we are welcoming hosts in Suffolk and our communities.
“In my chats with Rev Huffman, he’s described the role as being a ‘mate for the journey’ for the people working there – and that sounds about right to me.”
The Ven Rich Henderson, Archdeacon of Suffolk – who co-ordinates chaplaincy across the diocese, said: “There are nearly 50 Chaplains serving a number of sectors in Suffolk communities including police, youth groups, hospitals, hospices, schools, deaf chaplaincy, prisons, RAF, British Legion, army, agriculture and Felixstowe port.
“Each chaplain’s role is different and provides them with a unique relationship with the community they serve.
“Given the large number due to be employed at Sizewell C the Revd Clive Mobbs will be committed to their spiritual welfare, and a great asset to the project."
Julia Pyke, Joint Managing Director at Sizewell C, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Revd Clive Mobbs to the Sizewell C team as Lead Chaplain.
“We want to continue to create an open and supportive environment for everyone here, and Clive will play a really important part in developing that culture across all our sites in Suffolk.
“The spiritual support he provides – for anyone, whether they follow a religious faith or not – is a fantastic addition to the support we already have in place on site.
“ And in a short space of time, he’s already established a presence here, conducting our Remembrance Day service and getting out on site to talk to the teams. It’s going to be exciting to see him get even more involved in the life of this project, offering valuable support to anyone who needs it.”
More information on chaplaincy in Suffolk can be found at www.cofesuffolk.org
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