Faith

Reverend Mike Fox, the industrial chaplain at GKN in Telford, is also a former GKN employee. He worked for GKN Technology for 23 years and was made redundant when the site in Wolverhampton closed in 2002. He's since been ordained, and in 2007 became the industrial chaplain at the Telford plant.

According to Mr Fox his background also gives him a unique perspective on the current situation: "I can relate to some of the feelings... I sort of experienced a similar thing... It's very sad really, there's a sense in which your value disappears."

The job cuts announced in February 2009 are in addition to 90 jobs that were lost at GKN in Telford in 2008. Mr Fox said many workers have been concerned for some time, "and it's important for me to be here for that reason, and it'll be important as the jobs pick up again. Whenever that's going to be - we'll rejoice in the new orders."

"A wave or a thumb in the air is enough"

Discussing his role as an industrial chaplain, Mike Fox explained that the pastoral side was key: "Being alongside people, trying to make sure that I can be there for them, listen to their concerns... share in their joys as well."

It's not always easy to speak to staff in an industrial environment. With office workers it's straightforward, but it's more difficult when workers are wearing masks, in noisy areas, or behind welding screens. But Mr Fox explained that many workers simply put their thumbs up: "They recognise that I'm there, they're aware of my presence and that's good. They feel that that's a support for them."

Reverend Fox recalled a conversation with one worker: "Sometimes it doesn't seem as though you're doing a lot, but the chap I spoke to said it's enough to know you're here. A wave or a thumb in the air is enough sometimes just to give them a moment of confidence maybe in the future."

Mr Fox talks to staff at GKN in Telford at all levels, including managers and directors: "They're struggling with the situation just the same way, but they're... trying to work out where the market's going... to try and work out how to look after the people... to look ahead and try and bridge the gap - however long it's going to be." 

"Football comes up quite a bit"

Staff discuss many different topics with Mr Fox: "There's one guy who's a supporter of Spurs... and he wanted me very earnestly to pray for Tottenham Hotspur."

Before he was ordained colleagues knew Mike Fox had a strong faith and he said he was sometimes asked about spiritual matters. He sees his work as a chaplain as a continuation of that.

Mr Fox recalls one conversation with a worker about God: "He and a colleague were exploring where God is, and we came to the conclusion that God is here, just as much as in church."