Learning Disabilities

An important part of the ministry of the Church is to support people, young and old who have learning disabilities, so enabling them to participate fully in the life of the church.

Revd Sue Pearce and Mr. Richard Oliver as Ministers with those with learning disabilities are working on a one day per week basis as our continuing commitment to serve the needs of people with learning disabilities. 

They work as part of a wider team of volunteers and trust that the work they undertake will enhance the growth of Christian faith in those whom they serve.

In recognistion that a Christian life is lived in relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and in common with other Christians in the church, it offers the opportunity to deepen that relationship and to follow the way that Jesus taught.

Aims and purposes

• We recognize it is especially important to provide the space for this ministry to those who are often seen as needing care and without anything to give such as those with so-called learning disabilities.
• They have important gifts to offer, which it is important to encourage and develop and have insightful lessons to teach the rest of us. They may have 'special needs' but they also have 'special gifts' - not least love and compassion.
• local groups provide weekly or monthly opportunities for meeting and discussing faith issues. To hear about matters which may be causing problems and also to celebrate good things.

Special days are arranged quarterly in different parts of the Diocese to share in varied activities, to worship together and tomeet friends. See details below

Forthcoming Events

 INFORMATION AND RESOURCES 

.Opening the Doors

The General Synod at its meting in July 2009 commended to dioceses and parishes the guidelines contained in “Opening the Doors” on best practice for the inclusion of people with learning disabilities in the life and work of the Church.

There is an introductory DVD and a 68 page book of guidelines.  The Archbishop of York in the foreword to the book describes it as an invitation to the church to walk on holy ground.  He says that many of the stories and experiences found in the book show the profound revelation of God’s grace in Christ that true strength and wisdom is to be found in what many would describe as weakness and foolishness.  In attempting to define learning disability the guidelines refer to the social model of disability and introduce the slogan “Nothing about us without us.”  The document includes many stories about real people who have learning disabilities including some sections where they speak for themselves about their experience of the church.

There is a section on theology which makes the point that people with a learning disability, along with all human beings, are made in the image of God.  They, like everybody else, are capable of having a relationship with God, of revealing something of God to others and are entitled to be treated with dignity and understanding.  People with learning disabilities are not to be seen simply as objects of charity, not to be patronised and helped out of pity but to be accepted as partners, as fellow members of the body of Christ and as such to be given an opportunity to discover and exercise their gifts within the church.

A large part of the guidelines offers practical advice.  There is a section on supporting families with young children with learning disabilities and including them in the life and activities of the church.  There is a section on preparation for confirmation and admission to communion.  Some advice and practical help is offered on preparing couples with learning disabilities for marriage and there is a section on bereavement and funerals.  There is quite a large section on including people with learning disabilities in the everyday life of the parish.  Two people who are themselves on the autistic spectrum contribute material on helping church members have some insight into the world of a person with autism and offer ten simple things that can make life easier for autistic people in church.  A young woman with autism also appears on the DVD explaining how hard it can be sometimes for her to encounter other people on her way into church.  There is a section on support for parents and another on appropriate language.  There is a large resource section which includes information about specialist groups and helpful organisations as well as useful websites and publications.

Copies of the book and DVD are being made available to every parish in the Diocese.

Faith and Light

Faith and Light is an international ecumenical movement which supports people with learning disabilities and their families through local church based groups which mostly meet once a month.  Each group has about thirty members – ideally one third people with learning disabilities, one third other members of their families and one third people, usually members of local churches who want to get to know them better.  At each meeting there is a time of prayer and worship, a time for some social activity and sharing of news and a shared meal.  There are four Faith and Light groups in Leeds and one in Knaresborough.  The international website is www.foietlumiere.org (there is an English version). 

Causeway Prospects

Causeway Prospects is a national organisation which provides material and some training for volunteers and leaders to help them set up a Causeway Group – a Bible study and fellowship group for people with learning disabilities.  More information is available from Jo Bodsworth, 66, Leicester Road, Narborough, Leicester LE19 2DG, phone: 0116 286 7392, mobile: 07827939521, job@prospects-uk.org, www.prospects.org.uk.

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