Faith and reflection
Teesside University is home to students from many different cultures and to people of all faiths and none. We value the diversity of our students and recognise that being able to practise your faith is an important part of the student experience.
The Faith and Reflection service is for everyone. It offers confidential, non-judgemental pastoral care and support to all staff and students within the University. We are available for personal conversations at mutually agreed times. You don't have to practise any particular faith to come to talk to us and it can be about any issue. We also offer a range of weekly activities and events throughout the year.
If you wish to speak to anyone regarding faith, belief or related matters please enquire at the Student Life Building reception or email [email protected]
Faith and quiet spaces on campus
The University has a dedicated space on campus to support prayer and quiet reflection. Opening times are 8.00am to 9.00pm weekdays (can be open later by request) and 10.00am - 3.00pm on a weekend. These times may be affected when it is a public holiday.
On our Middlesbrough campus there are dedicated Muslim prayer rooms are located in Education House on the ground floor. These rooms provide a suitable environment for prayer. There are rooms for men and women newly installed Wudhu facilities nearby. Access is via TUSC for Teesside University students and staff only.
There is a dedicated multi-faith prayer space on the ground floor of Bios, which is open access for students and staff. Prayer mats are provided in this space. Similarly, the Wellbeing Room on the ground floor of the library may also be used for prayer during advertised periods. Please check the events calendar for availability. This is also signposted at the entrance to the Wellbeing Room.
At our Darlington campus, there is a multi-faith prayer room in Atmos on the second floor. This is available throughout the day for prayer.
Faith and belief information
If you want to know more about your faith or that of others here are some links to help you.
Latest news and events
Meet the team
Faith and belief advisers
Imam Waleid Allam
My name is Waleid Allam and I have been working as an Imam in Middlesbrough since 1996 helping locals to deal with range of issues that faces them in the 21st century.
I am here to support the staff and students at Teesside University. If you need any faith and or spiritual advice I am happy to meet on campus or in Abu Bakr Mosque.
James Cawdell
Hello, welcome to the university faith advisors team. I'm James Cawdell and I am the Curate at St Barnabas on Linthorpe road, only a 10 minute walk from the university campus. St Barnabas is a lively, welcoming Anglican church with an active student's ministry. We have services at 9.30, 11.15 and 18.30 on Sundays and 9.30 on a Wednesday. You'll be welcomed at any of these if you want to explore Christianity, grow as a Christian or just want a cup of coffee! You can find us online at st-barnabas.net. I'm also available for any students or staff members who would like to meet for a drink on campus or anywhere around Middlesbrough.
Minister Richard Cuthbert
I was ordained as a Spiritualists' National Union (SNU) Minister in March 2019, and have been a Spiritualist for over 20 years.
Spiritualism is an officially recognised religion, with its own Churches and educational centres. It embodies the main ideas of many other religions; that there is life after death, immortality and the existence of a God. The main difference between Spiritualism and other religions is that we accept that through the faculty of mediumship that it is possible to prove that individuals survive physical death. We consider those who are Mediums to be able to communicate with those who have physically died, providing conclusive evidence of the continuous existence of the human soul.
In my capacity as a Minister I'm able to carry out official services such as weddings and funerals, and am registered with departments of the UK Government Home Office to carry out chaplaincy duties in prisons as well as hospitals when required. As well as supporting those within my own Spiritualist community in my capacity as a Minister, and promoting Spiritualism, I am keen within my Faith Advisor role at the University to support individuals, whether Spiritualists or not, who may be curious about Spiritualism and aspects of it, and those who may wish to explore their own spirituality. This will also perhaps give me the opportunity to help others understand that Spiritualism is as much about life before death is it is life after death!
I've worked at Teesside University since 2008, so know the student and staff community well, and look forward to supporting others in this new capacity within the University.
Lindsey Goodhew
Hello! And welcome to the Faith and Reflection Service at Teesside University. I am the Associate Vicar of St Barnabas Church Middlesbrough - a short walk from the University campus along the Linthorpe Road. St Barnabas is a lively and welcoming Anglican Church in the Church of England. We have many students at St Barnabas across our three Sunday Services and you will be warmly welcomed whether you are just exploring faith and asking questions, or have been a Christian for many years. You can find out more about us at st-barnabas.net. I am available to chat to both students and staff and would be pleased to meet up over coffee on campus or elsewhere.
Naomi Kelly
I am the Officer at Middlesbrough Citadel Salvation Army (next door to the Dickens) my days are very varied. I run a drop in service for those in need in the area, support the other activities we have at our church including a café and charity shop and enjoy leading Sunday worship at 10.30am every week.
On Campus, I can often be found with my therapy dog, Brengle the gorgeous Golden Retriever, hanging about and chatting with students and staff. I'm a talkative and relaxed person who is always up for a cuppa and a chat. Although...a cup of juice as I don't actually drink tea or coffee! I can often be spotted in the Uni gym and love playing netball.
Rabbi Aaron Lipsey
As well as being our Jewish Faith Adviser, Rabbi Aaron Lipsey is the Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregation of Newcastle and Jewish Chaplain for Durham, Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. He is married to Miriam and they have five children.
In 2013, in a moment of madness Aaron enrolled on a Masters degree in Religions and Theology at the University of Manchester and has spent the last four years explaining to all who will listen how the universities in the North East are great places to study despite not choosing to do so himself. He graduated with a distinction in February 2016.
Aaron says that eighteen years of marriage (and kids; never forget the kids) have taught him that some end of life issues start much earlier than you expect and can continue for much longer than any sane man would possibly wish for.
His claim to fame is having a name that sounds like a designer brand and for being the only plane-spotting Rabbi in the North East. (That really is much more cool and exciting than you might otherwise think...)
Gavin Rodgers
I am part of the leadership team at Jubilee Church Teesside a large lively all ages Church based in central Middlesbrough which is part of Christ Central Churches and the Evangelical Alliance. I am local to the North East and have been part of Jubilee Church Teesside for 8 years since moving across from Darlington where I was born. I became a Christian at the age of 16 after being invited to a church youth group by one of my friends, this radically changed my view on Christianity. I am extremely passionate about students, young people and Teesside. I work as part time for Jubilee Church where I oversee youth and student work and I also work at a local Sixth Form College giving careers advice and guidance. As a careers advisor I regularly support young people and assist them in making some of the bigger life decisions relating to their future, this is something which I find extremely exciting. In my spare time, I love spending time with my wife and my two young children as well as being huge fan of Liverpool FC.
Useful links
Local places of worship - interactive google map
REdiscovering Middlesbrough was a two year project which aimed to create and maintain an online map of the places of worship found within Middlesbrough. Together with the local community and NASACRE students at Acklam Grange School have created this online interactive Google map with resources. This is an extremely useful and informative tool. If you are looking for information about our local faith communities this will be a good start. If you notice any errors please email [email protected]
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