Meet Reverend Daniel Walker, Anglican Chaplain at Royal Holloway, and discover how he connects with and supports the local community.
How would you describe your role and your connection with the local community?
Though my full-time role is being the Anglican Chaplain of Royal Holloway, as a Christian priest I don’t ever really ‘clock out’. Whenever I am off-campus and walking around my local community in the wonderful village Englefield Green, people see my clerical collar and recognise who I am. I have gone into most of the shops, restaurants, pubs, and schools – even funeral directors – in the village, introducing myself to the local Surrey folk and talking to them about what goes on in the University and in our Chapel. They are always affable and interested; I thoroughly enjoy this connection and taking services at the churches in the local deanery, inviting the congregants to attend services in our Chapel!
How long have you worked at RH?
Since April 2024!
What is the one thing you enjoy most about your work?
The sense of community. Unlike most University Chaplaincies which are, in a way, segregated from the main campus in a self-enclosed area, the Royal Holloway Chaplaincy is incorporated as part of the Student Life (Wellbeing and Support) Directorate. Our offices are next to all the counsellors, advisors, and other support staff, as well as being close to the Chapel itself. Being part of such a wide-ranging team that is so easily accessible to students, and where students can always knock on our office doors for a chat or be referred to us for spiritual help and guidance, is a radically holistic and innovative form of Chaplaincy. Worship and pastoral care are closely intertwined on-campus, and the Chapel also offers a welcoming space for members of the wider community who wish to attend services or spend some quiet time there.
A project, event, or initiative you are proud to have been part of recently
I thoroughly enjoy volunteering with the Charity Book Stall at the United Church in Egham. They are such a friendly bunch of people that raise a great deal of money for the Woking & Sam Beare Hospice and Wellbeing Care.
Something people might not know about you.
My favourite book is Crime and Punishment, my favourite film is Blade Runner, and my favourite album is Lord Huron’s Strange Trails. My favourite animals are cats… the big ones (especially tigers and snow leopards) and the little ones you can keep at home.
Any upcoming opportunities for the community to get involved with your work.
We are always looking for volunteers to be Chapel Wardens and help with our Christian services. Excitingly, Holy Week falls within term-time this year, and there will be a number of services and events leading up to Easter that members of the University and wider community can attend.
Anything else you feel would help bring your role or interests to life for our readers
Our Chaplaincy Team has dramatically grown in the last twelve months. We now have a Catholic Chaplain, another Muslim Chaplain, and a Jewish and a Hindu Chaplain. It’s such a privilege to be part of a vibrant and varied team of people with so many unique perspectives and experiences. Students have the opportunity to access pastoral care from any one of our many Chaplains, depending on their spiritual needs, and members of the wider community are also welcome to attend services and events in the Chapel.
