Children's Chaplaincy at the RHH

For the past year, Allison has been working toward training and accreditation as a Chaplain, currently serving as the Children’s Chaplain Trainee at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH). Allie's particular focus is the Children’s and Adolescents Ward’s and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), while also serving more broadly across the hospital. At the end of her current two-year traineeship, Allie hopes to continue serving in this area through the ongoing support of mission partners.

‘From him [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.’

Ephesians 4:11-16

We all know what it’s like to experience feelings of fear, hopelessness, or uncertainty. At the RHH, I meet with families and young people who find themselves in the midst of these experiences, and often in a time of crisis. Sadly, they don't necessarily have the support around them that they need. While hospitals are very well equipped to heal the body, they are not always set up to care for the emotional and spiritual dimensions of a person.

Thankfully, the God of the bible is not a distant God and meets us in our pain. Psalm 34: 17-18 says: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

As a Chaplain, I have the privilege of meeting with people as they wrestle with life’s biggest questions —purpose and worth, life and death, faith, suffering and hope. This offers a unique opportunity to bring the hope of Jesus into difficult situations through compassionate presence and care; offering a trusted, non-judgemental and safe presence for patients, families and staff.

We want to see more Tasmanian’s cared for, loved and supported. We also want to see Tasmanian's come to know and love Jesus. This ministry is not something I can do alone and importantly, this mission is not about me.

With approx. 7,000 monthly admissions to the RHH at the end of 2025, and increasing referrals for chaplains, our vision is to continue caring for the families and young people of Tasmania. 

I am praying for and seeking mission partners to join me in mission, both prayerfully and financially, so that together we can continue this ministry for years to come.