Havering Rail Pastors: Presence, Prevention, and Hope on the Railways
The story of Havering Rail Pastors began in 2015 with a single email from Superintendent Matt Allingham, who at the time was the Subdivisional Commander of the British Transport Police’s Western Sub-Division. That email sparked a series of meetings, conversations, and a shared vision: to bring a consistent, compassionate, and proactive pastoral presence onto our local rail network.
After careful planning and collaboration, Havering Rail Pastors officially launched in 2018 in partnership with Greater Anglia, covering the route from Shenfield to Colchester. During our time with GA, we provided reassurance, practical help, emotional support, and crisis intervention to countless passengers and staff. This partnership continued until March 2020, when our operations were impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
As the rail network evolved, so did we. Our work expanded onto the Elizabeth line under MTR, and we now continue our presence under GTSR—remaining committed to supporting passengers, staff, and the wider community through every transition. We are proud to be a consistent, caring presence in an ever-changing transport environment, offering stability, compassion, and human connection.
One of our major areas of focus is suicide prevention. This is not just something we talk about—it is central to who we are and what we do. Our team actively engages with commuters, training and encouraging people on the spot to recognise warning signs, start supportive conversations, and help those in crisis access the expert care they need. We believe suicide prevention is everyone’s business, and we empower ordinary people to take extraordinary action that can save lives.
We are also incredibly proud of our strong relationship with the local branch of Samaritans. We regularly support and promote their campaigns, including Brew Monday, Small Talk Saves Lives, Samaritans Awareness Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, and World Suicide Prevention Day. These partnerships strengthen our impact, widen our reach, and ensure that messages of hope, connection, and help remain visible and accessible.
At the heart of Havering Rail Pastors is a small but deeply committed team of passionate and compassionate disciples of Jesus Christ. We are volunteers with a genuine desire to serve, to love, and to treat every person we meet with dignity, kindness, and respect. Our team spans generations, ranging from those in their late 40s to over 90 years old—proving that compassion has no age limit.
Together, we represent seven different Christian denominations and traditions, united by a shared calling to be present, to listen, and to care. We give thanks to God for the immense privilege of partnering with Him in saving lives, restoring hope, and making a real and lasting difference to the people we encounter every day.
Havering Rail Pastors are more than a presence on platforms—we are a lifeline, a listening ear, and a reminder that no one has to face their struggles alone.
To find out more about Havering Rail Pastors
Contact: 07481020154
Email: haveringrailpastors@streetpastors.org.uk
havering@streetpastors.org.uk
