About the Multifaith Chaplaincy

Spiritual and pastoral care for the University community

The Multifaith Chaplaincy is part of the extensive support network for our staff and students at Oxford Brookes University.

Whoever you are, you belong here.

Faiths not currently represented in the Multifaith Chaplaincy

The Multifaith Chaplaincy is seeking to work with all the faith groups represented in our community, to better serve the University. We seek to be a safe space for all members of the University, of all faiths and none. Please get in touch if:

you are a member of the University community and would like to discuss your faith needs
you represent a faith group and would like to discuss how you could work with us in the Multifaith Chaplaincy.

Vacancies

Muslim Chaplain

Sheikh Ramzy served as Muslim Chaplain from 2015 until he retired in 2026.

If you are interested in volunteering as a Muslim Chaplain, or your organisation may be able to support us in appointing a chaplain, please contact the Multifaith Chaplaincy office.

Methodist Chaplain

Adrienne Cooke served as Methodist Chaplain until summer 2026 and the role is currently under review. If you would like to know more, please contact the Multifaith Chaplaincy office.

More information

Meet the team

University Chaplain and Pastoral Care Lead

Rev'd Kate Harford

Kate offers pastoral care to staff and students, manages the Multifaith Chaplaincy and leads the team. She is available most days on campus, and often spends Monday on Harcourt Hill.

Kate was ordained by the Metropolitan Community Churches in 2016, and has an interest in queer, disabled and intersectional feminist theology. She plays the flute and piccolo in the Oxford Brookes Orchestra.

Multifaith Chaplaincy Assistant

Louise Lloyd

Louise makes sure the service runs smoothly and we offer a warm welcome to everyone using the service.

Louise recently spent a semester working in Inclusive Support, where she learned more about the experience of disabled students.

Contact

Multifaith Chaplaincy

+44 (0)1865 535222

chaplaincy@brookes.ac.uk

Chaplains

Chaplains are appointed by the University and their faith community, or another appropriate organisation, to serve staff and students by offering spiritual and pastoral care as well as worship and events. The University Chaplain and Pastoral Care Lead is a permanent member of University staff who coordinates the service.

A chaplain can also support you if you need to make adjustments in order for you to access the University as a person of faith, for example if you need to avoid attending teaching or examinations during Shabbat.

Anglican Chaplain

Rev'd Heather Leppard

The Anglican Chaplain is appointed by arrangement with the Diocese of Oxford. Heather is usually available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Heather's interest in chaplaincy began as a student in Bristol 20 years ago, where she valued the opportunities to explore her own faith, and to engage in interfaith dialogue.

Heather is passionate about spirituality, opportunities for creativity, and building community. She is here for everyone, whether they are Christian or not. She is a keen runner, and enjoys gardening and socialising with friends.

Catholic Chaplain

Fr Ziggy

The Catholic Chaplain is appointed by arrangement with the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Fr Ziggy is usually available on Wednesday evening.

Rev'd Fr Dr Zbigniew Zieba (Fr Ziggy) was ordained in 1996 in Poland and has been working in the Catholic Church in England since 2001. He a priest of the Archdiocese of Birmingham and the parish priest of Blessed Dominic Barberi Church in Littlemore, Oxford.

He studied in the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and L’École biblique et archéologique française de Jérusalem, and holds a Ph.D. from Durham University in biblical theology. He is a lecturer in Old Testament Studies and biblical Hebrew at St. Mary’s College, Oscott in Birmingham.

His interests include Ancient Near Eastern literature and languages.

International Chaplains

Jonnie Green & Gail Willows

The International Chaplains are appointed by arrangement with Friends International.

Jonnie and Gail offer Christian care for all international students - whether they are Christians or not. They offer events such as the International Student Club (ISC) on campus. They have worked with international students for many years, and are passionate about supporting them.

Jonnie is also a keen footballer and an active member of his local church. Gail experienced life as an international student in France during her degree and is currently studying for a part-time MA.

Jewish Chaplains

Rabbi Moish & Tanya Blum

The Jewish Chaplains are appointed by arrangement with University Jewish Chaplaincy. They want to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive at university and has every opportunity open to them.

Moish learned in yeshivot in Israel and studied for semicha in Jerusalem. He recently studied at the Borehamwood Kollel and completed his course in economics at the University of London.

Tanya is a qualified occupational therapist and previously taught Jewish studies at Yavneh College in London.

Sikh Chaplain

Dr Randeep Singh Soin

We are delighted to welcome our first Sikh Chaplain, appointed by arrangement with Sikhs in Academia.

Randeep has been an education volunteer with two London Gurdwaras for many years, and has a passion for supporting young adults to achieve their potential.

His professional background is as an electrical and mechanical engineer, and has has served as a tutor in the armed forces.

He looks forward to supporting Oxford Brookes students to find a way to embody Sikhi values at university.

Faith community contacts

Faith community contacts are members of local faith communities who are a named point of contact for Oxford Brookes staff and students. For more information, please contact them directly or email chaplaincy@brookes.ac.uk.

Buddhist faith community contact

Ven. Khamma Dhammasami at Oxford Buddha Vihara

Ven. Dhammasami is a monk with the Oxford Buddha Vihara. He is available to offer information to Buddhist staff and students, or those wanting to learn about Buddhism. Several monastic members of the Buddha Vihara under his care are Oxford Brookes University alumni.

Hindu faith community contact

Dr Gian Gopal at the Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre

Dr Gopal is a member of the Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre. He is available to contact if you would like to know more about Hinduism or find out where to worship in Oxford. OHTCCP run a lively programme of events open to the whole community.

Group leaders

Group leaders work with Chaplains to offer events in the Multifaith Chaplaincy for staff and students. For more information, please email chaplaincy@brookes.ac.uk.

Finding God at Brookes Bible study

Dr Sola Adesola

Sola is the Group Leader of ‘Finding God at Brookes’ Bible study, to which she brings her Pentecostal tradition and experience leading healing prayers in the community. She is a Senior Lecturer in Oxford Brookes Business School and a member of the University Multifaith Advisory Board.

Quiet space in a Quaker tradition

Kit Fotheringham

Kit is a lecturer in Law and leads 'Quiet space' in a Quaker tradition. He is an active member of the Quaker meeting in Oxford and has served as a Quakers in Britain Yearly Meeting Trustee.