Clare Dowding

Hello! I am Anglican chaplain to the Manchester Universities.

I started work at St Peter's House in May 2007. Before that I worked as curate in an inner-city parish in Longsight, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in the country, just on the border of university-land. With its particular focus on mental health programmes this church showed me one aspect of life in this vibrant and diverse city.

I was born and raised in a small village in East Anglia, near Norwich, but soon spread my wings and worked for a number of years for a voluntary organization in Africa. I traveled to Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Uganda and Kenya to help with projects run by the Anglican Church. I have also spent time living in Montserrat, West Indies and in New York, USA. Before training for ministry in the Church of England I worked as a community educator and youth worker in East London and taught in the FE and HE sector.

Meeting with people at all levels of university life - faculty, staff and students - from diverse international, cultural and faith backgrounds, is what I like most about this job. The chaplaincy provides a creative space for all faiths to explore our commonalities and differences - and together to wrestle with the issues of our day.

Together with my husband, Nathan Eddy, the Free Church Chaplain here, I am pastor to St Peter's Church. I lead worship and preach regularly at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday service.

I love living in Manchester - it's a great city!  As a family, Nathan and I and our one-year-old daughter, enjoy walking in the hills and countryside nearby. In my free time I love listening to music, going to the movies, cycling and being with friends.

I look forward to getting to know you!

Clare

Contacting Clare