On the last weekend before Christmas, teams of retail chaplains will be on hand to offer extra support.

Most of the volunteer chaplains belong to Workplace Chaplaincy Mission UK and are engaged either in a solely Christian context or as part of an interfaith team. But whatever their own personal faith, they listen to and support people of all faiths or none.

The chaplains work in teams across city centres and towns and are known to shop managers. In Belfast, Methodist minister Rev Andrew Irvine leads a team of 30 volunteer chaplains. In Birmingham, 19 chaplains cover the city centre.

Retail chaplain Fiona Usher leads a team of chaplains in the north east of England. She told Religion Media Centre: “Christmas is not joyful for everyone.,, People have to put on a smile and be welcoming, no matter what they are feeling and this can be exhausting. Things may have happened, like a death at Christmas, and they don’t want to celebrate because of sad memories. It can magnify problems like abuse or financial pressure.

“We offer a friendly face, a quiet presence, someone they know can offer confidentiality, calm, and a listening ear. We help them cope. We give them time, listen and gentle conversation. If they need more help, then we find them professional help or counselling.”

Workplace Chaplaincy UK describes its mission as “the church in action in the economy, putting faith into action to support others and change the world, one conversation at a time.”