UK’s youngest rail chaplain, 19, is just the ticket for compassion
SHE is the UK’s youngest-ever railway chaplain, and despite only having been in the job for less than two months Hannah Tuck has already helped two drivers who have witnessed suicides.
Hannah is 19, and was appointed chaplain for the railway network in Wales and the Marches in November.
She has already been asked to support two train drivers who witnessed people taking their own lives and ticket staff who have been abused by passengers.
She has volunteered with St John Ambulance since she was 12 after being treated by them for an injury.
Hannah, from Barry, said: “The railway can come with lots of serious accidents and incidents. I have dealt with drivers who have witnessed incidents, and support for people when things are getting a bit rough. We provide that support.”
She added: “Although I am 19, I have been with St John’s for eight years so it’s very much similar to what I did with them. I have dealt with death already both at St John’s and in my personal life, so that isn’t really a problem.”
Hannah said the job mainly involves travelling across the rail network helping staff and, if called on by the British Transport Police, also customers.
Hannah said: “It’s something that I never thought I would be able to do, to be honest. But it feels like it’s something that I was really meant to do.”
Although appointed by a Christian charity, Hannah said faith is not the focus of the role.
Hannah said: “Obviously we [chaplains] all have our faith, but what’s important is that we are supporting people who need it.”