The Journey of the Christian Staff Network (CSN) at SWLStG NHS Trust
 

The Christian Staff Network (CSN) at South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust is a story of small beginnings, persistent faith, and increasing impact. What began in 2013 as a humble attempt by a few Christians to connect during challenging times has blossomed into a recognised, respected network making meaningful contributions to staff wellbeing, inclusion, and organisational culture.
 

Humble Beginnings (2013–2016)

The idea for the CSN was born out of a personal conviction and a frustration with the lack of integration between faith and work. A few Christians started meeting in the multi-faith room, often with low attendance and logistical challenges. Gradually, word of mouth helped grow a circulation list to around 15, but engagement remained limited. In 2017, a second group was formed at another hospital site.
 

The Turning Point (2017)

The network’s profile significantly changed in June 2017, when a fellow member encouraged the founder to seek official recognition. A positive response from the Equality & Diversity (E&D) lead helped publicise the network on the staff intranet and weekly bulletin, growing meeting attendance and membership. This formal recognition brought CSN into the Trust’s E&D Steering Group alongside other networks such as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBTQIA, Women’s, and Staff Mental Health Networks.
 

Support and Structure

An executive sponsor—the Director of Finance—was appointed to advocate for CSN and to represent them at the trust board level, and a £2,000 annual budget was secured. The group received valuable support and guidance from Transform Work UK, especially in balancing faith expression with organisational needs.

A set of objectives was developed in 2019 with input from Andrew Humphreys (Transform Work), centred on:

• Staff wellbeing
• Communication and visibility
• Education and training

 

A Clear Purpose

CSN aims to support Christians in living out their faith at work, benefiting the organisation and its patients. The group provides prayer, encouragement, and community. Members have called it “an oasis of calm” and a source of support and belonging.
For the Trust, CSN enhances staff wellbeing, promotes a values-based culture, and contributes to equality and diversity initiatives. The Trust’s own values—Respect, Openness, Compassion, Collaboration, and Consistency—are seen through a Christian lens using scripture as guidance – see Appendix.
 

Adapting During COVID

The pandemic opened up opportunities for trust-wide engagement. Initiatives like “Prayer at 1” and the “Bible Verse of the Day” brought encouragement and unity. Online prayer meetings attracted greater numbers, and raised the network’s visibility.
 

A Growing Committee and Expanding Activity 

In 2021, CSN estbalished a formal committee with roles such as Chair, Vice-Chair, Social Organiser, IT/Comms Lead, and more recently, a Treasurer and Training Lead. They meet every six weeks to plan activities and training events.
 

Staff Wellbeing and Training

CSN has sought to enhance staff wellbeing through:

• Focus groups on stress and the impact of faith in the workplace
• Bible studies on stress and burnout (in response to high levels of stress reported in staff survey
• Webinars including Fruitfulness on the Frontline (London Institute for Contemporary Christianity), Christianity & Mental Health, Racism: A Biblical Perspective (in partnership with the BME Staff Network) and Sharing Faith at Work), in partnership with the Christian Medical Fellowship.

 

Outward-Facing Initiatives

CSN has increased its visibility at trust events, offering:

• Stalls at the annual trust street party with literature, prayer request boxes, Bible verses on mental health, and giveaways
• Comms around Easter and Christmas
• Articles in staff bulletins
• Talks at staff induction sessions

The network has also engaged in meaningful dialogue with the LGBT Network, navigating theological and ethical differences with mutual respect. They “agreed to disagree” on the trust rainbow lanyard initiative after a constructive one-on-one meeting with the LGBT network chair.
 

Current Snapshot and Ongoing Challenges

With 190 members and regular prayer meetings (15–25 attendees), CSN has an extremely diverse membership in ethnicity, profession / job roles, position within the trust ‘hierarchy’ and church denomination. The network includes both clinical and corporate staff across all seniority levels.

However, time constraints remain a challenge for both members and committee leaders, and managing diversity within Christian traditions also requires grace and patience.
 

Looking Ahead: Small Steps, Big Faith

The CSN journey is a testament to God’s ability to take a mustard seed of faith and, over time with much prayer, to build a community of believers, and enrich organisational life. To those considering setting up a workplace Christian group be encouraged by this verse from Zechariah:

“Do not despise the day of small things, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zechariah 4:10)

 

---

Appendix: Trust Values: A Christian Perspective

 

• Respectful – “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17)
• Open – “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25)
• Compassionate – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
• Collaborative – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
• Consistent – “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58) 

 

---

 

---