THE chaplaincy team on HM Naval Base in Portsmouth is always available - for naval personnel, civil servants, and even for external contractors working there.

Rabbi Emily Rosenzweig leads a team which includes two Anglican chaplains, plus a support team. She’s unusual in that she’s the first ever full-time Jewish chaplain in the Royal Navy, on an exchange scheme with the US Navy.

Their role includes being available across the Naval Base, serving on deployments of ships, and welcoming those needing help into their chaplaincy centre, which includes a multi-faith prayer room.

Emily’s colleague the Rev Stephen Wilson leads services at St Ann’s Church in the dockyard, with regular Sunday services plus baptisms, funerals and weddings.

The other Anglican chaplain, the Rev Tim Ndegwa, has a specific role helping to support naval personnel affected by medical or legal issues.

They work closely with staff from the charity Aggie’s, which is based alongside their chaplaincy and also offers pastoral support.

“We’re available as workplace chaplains across the base, following up on concerns or welcoming people into the chaplaincy,” said Emily. “As a synagogue rabbi, I might only see people on the Sabbath, but here I see people all the time.

“They may come with faith-related issues or personal problems. A big thing that affects people is uncertainty about the future. And of course, if you are on deployment, more people may turn up for worship.

“One of the things about being a non-Christian chaplain is that you can raise a range of questions about how the Navy copes with those with different dietary requirements or types of prayer. But I do think the Navy is better at answering those kind of questions now.”

Stephen served as a parish priest in Winchester diocese and as an Army chaplain for nine years before joining the Royal Navy.

“In the Army, you are part of the regiment and embedded into it, going on operational tours and exercises,” he said. “Here it’s different, as there are 14,000 people in the dockyard and you’re available to all of them.

“It is busy and rewarding, as you may be involved in some significant part of someone’s life, or help them when they are under pressure.

“Many of the St Ann’s congregation have been coming for 20 years, so there is a lot of history there.