Welcome!  We are delighted that you have found your way to this page.

Here, you will find details of our group of vocations advisers who are willing to offer you some time to talk and think about what God may be calling you to do with your life.

This is a great opportunity to have an informal conversation with “no strings attached.”

Please take the time to read the profiles of our advisers and then contact us if you would like to begin having conversations about how God is calling you. 

If you have a preference of a vocations adviser who you would like to meet with, please let us know. 

Vocations events, exploring both lay and ordained vocations, are held regularly throughout the Diocese. Find out more here. 

You are encouraged to sign up and come along to a vocations event that is convenient for you. 

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Kat Alldread
Lay Vocations Officer
kat.alldread@derby.anglican.org
01332 388657

Kat Alldread

I am the Lay Vocations Officer and the coordinator for the group of Vocations Advisers.

It is amazing the different ways God calls each one of us to serve - in our families, in our occupations, in the church, in ministry and in our communities.

I love journeying with people as they explore how and where God is calling them and discovering the wide range of ministries to which people are called.

I am happy to advise those who are discerning a call to ordained or licensed lay ministry and those who sense that God is calling them to something, but are not sure what.

I live near Chesterfield, but I am happy to advise people in any part of the diocese.

Rachael Brooks

 Hi, I’m Rachael and I’ve been a curate at St Peter’s, Littleover and St Andrew’s, Blagreaves since June 2020. I’ve worshipped in Derby since my husband, Andrew, and I moved here with our jobs back in 1991. We’ve both been very involved with church, doing almost all of the different roles available on a Sunday and during the week between us in that time. I’ve also had the privilege and delight of serving as a Derby City Centre chaplain, at a vocational training college for 15 - 19 year olds and then at the Derby City Council building. 

During the years of serving at my church and as chaplain I had a mental picture of God’s people being jewels for a crown and sensing that my role was to assist in polishing them and helping them to find the right place for them in the crown. Following a prolonged period of discernment I studied for three years part time at St Hild College and am loving being a priest and the opportunities it gives for supporting people in this way. I support our diocese’s response to Modern Slavery and I’m part of the Amazing Grace racial justice learning community.  

Andrew and I have one son, Isaac, who is currently at university. I love my book group, time in green spaces and time with family and friends, not necessarily in that order!

Susie Curtis

I'm Susie and I passionately believe that everyone has a vocation, the shape and focus of this will be unique for us all.

I spent ten years working in the Diocese of Durham as a parish priest and university chaplain.  

During these years, I journeyed with many people -  especially young people and students - as they explored their vocation. Vocations that have led them to social work, scientific research, ordination, accredited pastoral work, teaching and the religious life to name but a few.   

I moved to the Diocese of Derby in autumn 2018 after marrying Andy, who works for Rolls-Royce. I then unexpectedly found myself Interim Minister at St Alkmund’s for two years, journeying with this amazing church through a time of challenge and transition.   

I am currently based in Chester Green, Derby where the vocations of priest, wife, mother, daughter and friend make a beautiful noise (or occasional cacophony)!

Please feel free to contact me to chat about God, life, - and that niggling thought that won't go away! 

Julian Hollywell

Hello. For me, the journey is what is important.  

People sometimes think exploring vocation is about becoming somebody different and that you can get it ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ … but the vocational journey is one we are all on, it is about discerning God’s intention for us and becoming more the person God calls us each of us to be, whatever our gender or heritage, whether we are straight or gay, regardless of disability or mental health issue we are all created, held and nurtured in God’s love, which means we all have a calling.  

I am a parish priest, living as Vicar of Spondon and an experienced Spiritual Director walking alongside diverse people from different contexts.

Located 2 miles east of Derby city centre in a place called Spondon.

Alistair Langton

It has been a joy to work as Diocesan Youth Adviser for almost 20 years.

In that time, it has been a real privilege to accompany many young people in their journey through the teenage years and become established in a whole range of jobs and professions or contemplate how God works through them as a parent and homemaker as well as in being a volunteer in the local church or community.

I also enjoy working with adults, many youth leaders have cut their teeth in leadership in the Church and I’ve been delighted to see them move on with this experience in the bank.

It is the relationship role that I particularly enjoy, listening to stories and encouraging folk to reflect on their gifts and talents, on what God and others might be saying to them and then providing space and opportunities for them to try new things and take that next step on the road that God is taking them.

The Diocese of Derby takes vocation seriously, it values lay people and believes that every person, young or old, lay or ordained has an important role to play in building God’s Kingdom in every community in Derbyshire and beyond.

I live near to the south-east corner of the diocese but happy to chat anywhere in Derbyshire as I cover the whole diocese in my role.

As well as training as a Lay Reader I am an ardent Nottingham Forest fan and enjoy swimming, theatre or performing on stage with Long Eaton Operatic Society.

Christine McMullen

I live on the edge of Buxton and I am a Reader at St Peter's church in Fairfield.

Until I retired I worked  in theological education, latterly as Vice Principal of the Yorkshire Ministry Course where I taught Pastoral Studies, Human Relationships, Ethics and beginners Greek. 

I was a diocesan rep on General Synod for many years and I now review Theological Courses and Colleges for the national Ministry Division.

Owain Mitchell

I am the vicar of the Parish of Saint George the Martyr, New Mills.

Feeling called to the priesthood from an early age I eventually submitted to God and trained for the priesthood at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, and served my title in the Diocese of York.  From 2005, I was Vicar of a group of parishes in the Diocese of Lincoln before joining the Diocese of Derby in February 2020.

During my time in Lincolnshire, I trained two Curates, and acted as either Supervisor or Theological Reflector for several others.  I served on the Vocations Advisors Group.  I was Spiritual Director for several people discerning their vocation.  And many who were either discerning or in training at the Lincoln School of Theology joined me on placements.

God gives us many vocations – perhaps to be children, parents, careers and so forth.  I also believe that He calls everyone to serve Him in the Church as part of the Royal Priesthood.  For some, this vocation might be as a faithful and prayerful presence; for other’s it may be to the Sacred Priesthood; for others still it could be Church Leadership, children’s work, Reader Ministry and or another role vital to His mission.

I am inspired and invigorated as I journey alongside others who are working out to what God is calling them to.  Those lightbulb moments when things begin to make sense and click into place are a privilege to share.  It is a joy to witness others flourishing in their faith as disciples, called by God to serve Him in the world through His Church.

Rosemary Nicholls

I’ve been a Reader for 10 years and am married to a recently retired vicar, now living in Heanor.  We have two adult children.

As a trained Spiritual Director I have been privileged to accompany a variety of people at different stages of their life and faith journey.

It can be helpful for us all to have someone to encourage us to listen to God and discern the way forward, whether this involves a change of direction or continuing in faithful service where we are. This has also been part of my role when helping to facilitate a number of Diocesan courses.

I come from a non-conformist background, and I enjoy worshipping in a variety of traditions, particularly appreciating experiencing any of these ‘done well’ (whatever that means!). More recently I have particularly learned to love and value aspects of Ignatian Spirituality.

Louisa Wass Griffiths 

I'm a lay minister in Derby's Walbrook Epiphany team. I work full time as a Manager for a Trade Union. I have a full life with blood relations and gathered family.  I like to mix dance music for a hobby. I also like reading books about God; and writing sermons. Sometimes I'm a bit too busy but I'm working on it.

On the God side of things I am quite chatty with God, and I like discussions about how people communicate with God and how they follow Jesus. I'm not too keen on wars over theology or politics. I am committed to inclusion. People tell me I listen well and am not very judgemental. (I think we all are a bit, except Jesus)

Sarah Watson

Being authentic in who you are and in what God has called you to for me is what vocation is about. We all have a vocation which will look different for each of us. 

After completing a Theology degree at Durham my vocation for many years before ordination was as a secondary school teacher which included school chaplaincy. One of the things I loved doing as a sixth form tutor was journeying with students on their vocational exploration as they moved from school to university or employment.

Having been ordained in 2017 I have recently completed my curacy within the diocese.  I trained at St Hild whilst juggling family life.  I have continued my association with St.Hild and currently lead a module on entrepreneurial mission at the college working alongside ordinands and leaders in training from a variety of denominations. 

I am now based at Saint Phillips Church in Chaddesden where my role is as enabling minister for a revitalisation church plant, which essentially is a pioneering role. 

I am also passionate about sports ministry and young people and serve as a chaplain.

Simon White

I came to ordination after some years as an English and drama teacher and still enjoy being part of local theatre and drama.

After training in Nottingham, I have worked in both single and multi parish settings, including a spell as a school chaplain.

I consider it a privilege to be alongside anyone who is on a vocational journey of discovering what God’s calling means for them.

I’m now based in Tideswell, where I’m the vicar of five village churches and most available in the Peak or North Derbyshire.

Contact the Vocations team

Please use the form on this page to talk to us about exploring your vocation and working with one of our advisers.

We look forward to hearing from you!