I did not come into contact with the Chaplaincy until I had been at Southampton for three years, because of my course and personal circumstances. During those years, I had spent time looking for fellowship, a church community, somewhere to explore my faith, but found that people tended to prejudge my capabilities due to outward appearances (for example, being concerned that I had come to church by myself, or making assumptions about where and whether I took communion).
Once I moved to somewhere where I could access campus easily, I wandered down to Chaplaincy myself. I was very pleasantly surprised by the lack of judgement in the first conversations I had with both Simon and Catherine; Simon discussed through my previous faith experiences and not only what I wanted to get from Church and/or Chaplaincy, but also what I could do for others, acknowledging that there was no reason for me not to be part of the ministering community (both inward and outward) that Chaplaincy is. This reignited my faith journey; I had become disillusioned after becoming disabled as people had started to place me more in the category of 'one to be done unto' rather than an active Church member. Before I left Southampton, I had had several serious talks exploring lay ministry. This would not have happened had Chaplaincy and Simon not been so accommodating; the community accepting me as myself meant that I could sit on the floor/against a wall to receive Communion every week in fellowship no matter how I was feeling...and that I could take an active part in readings and biblical discussion, growing my faith. Now I have moved elsewhere, I am having to consider receiving reserved sacrament alone. The community's supportiveness and openess would not be present if it were not for the provision of the building and Simon and his colleagues; it helps and supports students of faith and of none.

Even now I have left Southampton, I still get supportive vibes from the Chaplains and the community: having moved across the country (which would have been much harder had it not been for the chaplaincy friends who came and willingly helped me pack), I was recently overwhelmed to receive a beautiful A4 handmade card with supportive messages towards my new life from the Chaplains and many of my old friends. How many other communities forget about students once they are away from them? As well as giving me hope, people are still supporting me in faith and out, whilst I look for a church here (which I am not sure I would be doing had it not been for my 2 years experience of chaplaincy at Southampton).

I realise times are tight...but Chaplaincy and the Chaplains do so much for so many students that is not replicated elsewhere in Southampton at either the University or in the local community. Please consider the impact the proposed budget would have on so many students.

I consider it my good fortune that I have been able to get to know Simon Stevens in my time at Southampton University.
I have been able to get to know him in his more professional role where he has been a great aid and advisor on several occasions and, typical to the way Simon works, at the same time been able to get to know him as a friend and brother in Christ.
It is thus on two levels that i appeal against this decision to remove Simon from the University of Southampton:
   1) For the great aid he (and the Chaplaincy) is to us and many other societies at the University
   2) For the fact that I do not wish for a man whom i consider a good friend, valued aid and advisor, and Brother in Christ to be removed from his place here at the University.

The work that Rev. Steven and the Chaplaincy do is brilliant and highly essential. The consequence of a termination of funding to the chaplaincy will result in the University becoming a completely secular community, with the absence of a Christian voice and body.

As having personally gained support from the Chaplain at the University of Southampton's Chaplaincy, I feel that this a great resource to the students and staff of the university and is greatly needed.

I was on the Jewish Society committee for 2 years, and the work of the Chaplaincy to get all faiths a recognised space, and a platform in the University, was testament to the true sense of devotion to students' spiritual wellbeing that typifies all of the Chaplains.

Simon, Father Mike, Sister Catherine, the Free Church Chaplains, all worked tirelessly over my three years (2005-8) to make Chaplaincy a welcoming place, a place of refuge and a place of tolerance. Without it, there would have been no Jewish Society Friday nights, no CathSoc/JSoc bible study, no community events, no Chanukah doughnut free-for-alls, no interfaith days, no masses, no meditation, no SCM meetings, no £1 breakfasts, no Wii - crucially, no place on campus for anyone to come and just chat, emote, ask, find or debate, without fear of prejudice or ridicule. Unless they were wearing a silly jumper, which Simon often did.

I wish that the diocese could see beyond their budget - if their mission is to evangelise, where better than at University (my views on evangelism aside); if they want to maintain Christian life on campuses and inspire people into community and religious action, where than on a campus full of students with time and the inclination to make the world a better place? There are easy solutions, there are surmountable problems, but most importantly, people's livelihoods and the spiritual provision for thousands of students is at risk.