My experience

Keith Stewart is the chaplain to TS Tremadoc Bay, the Middleton and Chadderton Unit. Until 1994 he served for 22 years as an officer in the Sea Cadets in the Manchester area. “I enjoyed my time with the Sea Cadets,” he says, “but I felt I’d gone as far as I could, and, as well as being a Police Officer, I also decided to study to become a reader in the Church of England. Not long after I qualified, one of my colleagues suggested I think about rejoining as chaplain.”

"In case you’re wondering exactly what a Sea Cadet chaplain does, Keith claims he has a broad remit. “Generally, it’s the chaplain’s job to be available,” he explains, “mind you, thanks to my 20 years as a Sea Cadet Officer I also do a lot of instructing, including drill, map reading and first aid. Although I’ve now retired from the police I find my 30 years’ service comes in very handy at times.”