From Canon Giles Goddard

Sir, — I was pleased to read the Revd Sally Hitchiner’s article (“How to make freshers welcome: ten top tips”, Comment, 2 October). Finding a new church can be difficult, and students often end up going to a particular church because that’s where their friends go, or because that’s the one that they’ve heard of.

Besides contacting local chaplaincies, it’s a good idea for churches to be listed on national directories — for example, by signing up as a link church with the Student Christian Movement. It helps, too, to suggest to young people going to university or college that there are often a variety of student societies or student-friendly services on or near campus.

The chaplaincy stall or the smaller Christian student societies are always worth checking out, so that students can find what’s right for them.

GILES GODDARD
The Parish Office
St John’s Church
Waterloo Road
London SE1 8TY