Ambulance service appoints three new chaplains to support colleagues

North East Ambulance Service has introduced a new chaplaincy team to the service and welcomes three new chaplains to the volunteer department.

The chaplains are volunteers and will offer emotional, pastoral and spiritual support to colleagues working or volunteering within NEAS. 

Fiona Usher, David Gibson and Susan Sweeting will be joining NEAS with a wealth of experience between them in chaplaincy, mental health and pastoral care.

Fiona will take the role as interim lead chaplain and has 39 years’ experience working and supporting a range of services including Tyne and Wear Fire Rescue Service and Newcastle International Airport.  

“I am committed to developing a chaplaincy team within NEAS and offer an extra element of support to colleagues that is independent, confidential and available to all staff regardless of faith or belief. I will be starting my new role with my local ambulance station at Chester-Le-Street and I am looking forward to getting out and about to meet everyone soon.”

Fiona Usher.

Fiona will be joined by David who has worked in law for over 20 years, has been a volunteer for Samaritans for 15 years and led numerous mental health seminars and workshops across workplaces in the region. He said: “I will be begin my role at Lanchester Road ambulance station in Durham and I look forward to utilising my skills and help and support colleagues right across the service.”

The third chaplain to join NEAS is Reverend Susan Sweeting who ordained as a priest in 2022 after working in a GP surgery and retiring after 31 years. She said: “I have a working knowledge of the NHS, and although now retired I understand something of the pressures that the ambulance service works under. I know that sometimes it can help to have people to talk things through with, or to know that there is someone around if you should ever need it.” 

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