Our team

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Chaplains

Rev. Adrian Woodbridge, Lead Chaplain

Rev. Adrian Woodbridge joined us from Addenbrooke’s Chaplaincy and, prior to that, was with the Royal Papworth Chaplaincy. His ministry career has taken him to Market Harborough, Lowestoft, Godmanchester and Huntingdon.

In his leisure time, Adrian describes himself as a “very amateur runner”. He is married, has three grown-up boys and enjoys time with his two grandchildren and a mad French Bulldog.

 

Rev. Darren Thornton, Chaplain

Darren Thornton was Rector of St Giles-on-the-Hill in Norwich and Chaplain to the University of East Anglia.

He said that moving to NNUH felt like coming home as he was Chaplain at the old hospital 20 years ago. His ministry career has been throughout Norfolk, working at Great Yarmouth Northgate Hospital, East Dereham, Scarning and Swanton Morley. He is a Canon of Norwich Cathedral and a Captain in the Church Army. In his spare time, he is a season ticket holder at Norwich City Football Club.

Rev. Penny Warner, Chaplain

Penny Warner joined the Chaplaincy team in March 2022 and has been enjoying meeting patients, staff, volunteers and visitors and getting to know the Trust. She is a Church of England priest, ordained in 2013.

She moved from the Diocese of Manchester where she was a parish priest and loves exploring Norfolk and the beautiful countryside, windswept beaches and historic churches. Her husband, David, is a parish priest in the Benefice of North Walsham, where they live alongside their Border Terrier, Buddy.

Rev. Jo Parker, Chaplain

Jo joined the chaplaincy team in February 2023 after 16 years in parish ministry in the Yorkshire Wolds, Greater Manchester and Leamington Spa. She lived and worked in Norwich as a nurse and midwife at NNUH over 20 years ago and is very happy to be returning to her roots in Norfolk.

Pastor Mark Taylor – Chaplain

Pastor Mark Taylor is an ordained Baptist Minister, having studied Pastoral Theology at Spurgeon’s Bible College in London.

Before entering the ministry he was a Therapy Radiographer at Walsgrave Hospital Coventry, then at the old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in the city.

Born and bred in Cromer, he says it’s a privilege to serve the people of Norfolk in his role as Hospital Chaplain.

 

Rev Casey Sibanda, Chaplain

Casey Sibanda is a Authorised Methodist Minister who joined the NNUH Chaplaincy team in April 2023. She studied Bachelor of Divinity and was ordained in October 2012. She has previously worked as a Hospital Chaplain for over 5 years, and has been a Police Chaplain for 2 years.

She says she’s honoured to serve in the NNUH, and  she will continue to serve with all her heart as she has the desire to help others.

Katie Lei, Assistant Chaplain

Katie began her pastoral ministry in 2014, with a passion for creating connections where individuals feel heard and valued. She joined the NNUH Chaplaincy team in July 2023 to further her vocational calling.

Born in China and having grown up in the UK, Katie offers a unique understanding of cross-cultural influences in her pastoral work. In her downtime, she finds solace hiking and immersing herself in nature.

 

 

 

Volunteers

fri vols being briefed

We also have Volunteers working alongside us who support our work in the following ways:

  • Visiting patients
  • Helping patients get to Sunday chapel services
  • Helping with housekeeping around the Chapel.

Find out more about how to become a Chaplaincy volunteer.