Jessica Foster

I am a versatile professional currently leading a department for a large anti-poverty charity. Social justice is the thread that holds the development of my career and my vocations together. I am an accomplished communicator and write and speak with clarity and am quick to grasp new and complicated concepts.

I build trusting relationships quickly and enjoy leading and working in teams of people as well as being a motivated self-starter.
I would love to see the Church speak loudly, clearly and wisely on matters of social justice and believe that sustained and co-ordinated advocacy is key to creating a more just, generous and compassionate society which looks a little more like ‘heaven on earth’, especially for those who face a daily struggle against the violence of poverty, hostility, climate change and conflict.

Awards and Qualifications

I was awarded the King’s Coronation Medal in 2024 for my involvement in helping to write the service for the coronation of King Charles III.
In April 2019 I was presented with The Lambeth Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Co-Operation by the Archbishop of Canterbury, recognising my work in the Diocese of Birmingham and nationally and my engagement with conversations around Israel-Palestine.
Also in 2019 I was awarded a Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring after a course at Warwick University.
In 2015, as part of my training for ordination, I was made Master of Arts (with Merit) in Theology and Transformative Practice from Newman University.
In 2011 I gained a PGCE at Warwick University. I also have qualifications in journalism and PR.
In 1992 I gained my first degree in General Honours (English) from the University of Birmingham (2:1). I have A levels in French, English and Politics (Grade B) and 12 O levels.

Experience

Head of Church Engagement, The Trussell Trust
(March 2022 – present day)
Developing messaging, strategies and activations that engage the church, church-leaders and Christian parliamentarians in the struggle against poverty. Working with people with lived experience of that struggle to shape our engagement and communicating with as wide a swathe of Christian traditions as possible. Collaborating with other faith-based organisations in the sector to create a coherent movement for justice and compassion.

Chaplain to the Bishop of Birmingham
(September 2021 to March 2022)
Focusing on the Bishop’s external affairs including his work in the House of Lords, the China Round Table and the Mining Faith Reflection Initiative. I played a leading role in anti-racist work and the Living in Love and Faith initiative. I was also involved with devising liturgies, clergy HR and safeguarding.

Tutor in the Ministry Formation Team, Queens Foundation
(2017 to March 2022)
At Queens I taught Interfaith Engagement and Christian-Jewish Relations to students from a range of denominations. I have also taught a Mission and Evangelism module. I was a personal tutor to students training for Anglican Ministry enabling them in their formation and learning and offering support, advice and accountability. I convened the Anti-Racism Task Force. I have also taught modules in interfaith engagement on Cuddeston, Sarum and CMS training courses.

Curate, St Peter’s, Hall Green
(2015 to 2019)
Curate in a liberal-catholic parish in which I played a full pastoral role including occasional offices, preaching and leading worship and visiting parishoners. During my time there, the church became very connected with the local community and hosted interfaith events, welcomed people of different faiths to worship and engaged with destitute women in a nearby hostel.
I also co-founded Bread for the World, a service on a Sunday afternoon in which we made bread, shared food and prayed together. People of different faiths and none regularly attended ‘Bread Church’ which reopened in October 2021 after the pandemic.
My curacy had three agreed focuses, the parish, the margins and the Bishop. I remained policy advisor to the Bishop of Birmingham, ran a successful women’s leadership programme and began teaching at Queens during my curacy. During this time I was asked to join a small team meeting at Lambeth Palace which worked with the Archbishop to prepare for a future coronation.

Near Neighbours Co-Ordinator
(2011-2015)
Launching a Government-funded project to bring people of different faiths together for social action and interaction. This involved managing a grants programme, supporting projects, encouraging new applicants and creating a network of faith-based community groups. During this time, I was instrumental in setting up the Places of Welcome network (www.placesofwelcome.org.uk) and the Love Your Neighbour campaign in response to the Brexit Vote. (Love Your Neighbour: A Birmingham grass roots campaign to build bridges after Brexit – Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)

Graduate Training Programme (2010 to 2011)
Training to be a secondary school teacher with Warwick University based in two local schools

Bishop’s Communications Director (2004-2010)
Working in Birmingham Diocese to ensure good media relations for the Bishop and the church. Working first with the then Bishop Sentamu and later for Bishop David Urquhart. I was particularly involved with supporting churches and the Diocese to respond to sudden deaths, violence and geopolitical events.

PR Manager (1998-2004)
Acorns Children’s Hospice. Managing a team of PR professionals, liaising with families of children with life-limiting conditions and establishing a magazine for siblings.

Trainee reporter then a reporter, The Chronicle Newspapers and The Express and Star (1995-1998)

Researcher/Production Assistant (1994-1995) Working for the BBC on a documentary series based at the Queens Foundation.

PR Assistant (1993-1994) Working at the Shaftesbury Society.

USPG Root Group Member (1992-1993) Living in community with people from Zambia, supporting the local church and engaging in community work.

Student at Birmingham University (1989 to 1992) As well as studying I was a member of the CU and chaired the mission committee. I was a volunteer and committee member at Niteline, a student information and listening service.

Other Experience

 I have also been a trustee of two local charities working with refugees and asylum seekers and also of Amos Trust, a human rights organisation based in London. I am currently on the national board of Near Neighbours. I speak regularly for CCJ and at various events and conferences organised by the interfaith team at Lambeth Palace. I have led several interfaith pilgrimages to Israel and the West Bank.
I was a member of Journey of Hope from 2018-2019 – a community of Christian reconcilers who undertook a pilgrimage to six centres of learning across the UK.
I have spoken at and hosted venues at Greenbelt, a festival of arts, faith and justice and I enjoy attending various festivals. I love travel, literature and the arts and do PR on a voluntary basis for a Christian NGO based in Bethlehem called the Holy Land Trust.