Series One
Ep1. Makaton in Church with Becky George.
Get to know what Makaton is and why it is so widely used within the SEND community. Using Makaton within church settings can present rather unique challenges, thankfully Becky set about solving those!
To learn more about makaton visit the Makaton website: https://makaton.org/
To access Becky’s free Christian Makaton resources, visit her youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwuaOT47jb0mS71qLqsRFWg
Becky also has a website where you can sign up to courses and access even more resources: https://beckymakatontutor.co.uk/
Ep2. Deaf Development Worker Karen Sly.
Learn about the Christian deaf community within the Leicester Diocese. Karen talks us through the journey to where they are now and shares some great tips and insights into church as a BSL user or someone that has hearing loss.
Do have a look at the Leicester Deaf Centre’s website where you will find links to really helpful resources such as their youtube channel and interpreter network: http://leicesterdeafcentre.org.uk/
Ep3. Supporting Children with Kay Morgan-Gurr.
With both professional and lived experience of disability Kay really is a font of knowledge! Co-founder of the Additional Needs Alliance, council member for the Evangelical Alliance & consultant and advisor in disability and additional needs we chat all about supporting children and families with additional needs within your church family.
To learn more about the Additional Needs alliance and access all their free resources then visit their website: https://additionalneedsalliance.org.uk/
Kay also has a very active twitter where you can keep up to date with all her work and musings: https://twitter.com/KayMorgan_Gurr
Ep4. CofE’s National Disability Advisor Roy McCloughry.
Roy gives us a snapshot of the journey that the C of E has been on with inclusion and gives insight into what his role involves in the day to day
You can access the nation C of E’s guidance and resources on ‘Welcoming Disabled People’ here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/welcoming-disabled-people
Ep5. Real Inclusive Community with WAVE’s Bernice Hardie.
WAVE is all about seeing true inclusion within all our communities and the benefits that it brings to each and every individual. Bernice talks all about her personal experiences which lead her to starting WAVE. She gives some really useful top tips that we can easily transfer to our church settings.
Read more about the great work WAVE is doing here: https://www.wave-for-change.org.uk/
Ep6. Get To Know Leicester’s Disability Advisor, Emily Williams
Emily’s husband, Ben, takes the reigns for this episode allowing you the opportunity to learn a bit more about Emily and her hopes and dreams for her time in the Leicester.
Series Two
Series two can be found at this link:
https://disabilityandthechurchseriestwo.podbean.com
Episode 1: Growing Hope with Dr Naomi Graham
Dr Naomi Graham is an Occupational Therapist with CEO of Growing Hope, a charity based in London (with various offices around the UK) which offers free therapy to children with additional needs. Download a Transcript of the episode here.
Find out more about Growing Hope here: www.growinghope.org.uk
Naomi’s book “Love Surpassing Knowledge: More than ramps. Understanding and implementing accessibility” can be sampled or purchased here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Surpassing-Knowledge-Understanding-accessibility-ebook/dp/B07FM257CT/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=love+surpassing+naomi+graham&qid=1652190665&sprefix=Naomi+graham%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1
Episode 2: Deaf Awareness With Emily Owen
Emily Owen is an author and speaker who shares her own journey with hearing loss and deafness after being diagnosed with a rare medical condition. She writes and speaks about faith thriving within people with disabilities. Download a Transcript of the episode here.
Emily’s website and shop for her books can be found here: https://www.emily-owen.com/
Episode 3: From Podiatrist to Priest
Revd Chris Haywood is a former curate in the Diocese of Leicester and he shares his journey from Podiatry to Priesthood and how disability inclusion can influenced his ministry. Download a Transcript of the episode here.
Episode 4: Lesson From School With SENCO Sam Dewick
Sam Dewick is a teacher and SENCO in primary school settings. She also happens to be Emily’s mother. She shares how she’s been able to crossover the wisdom from school settings into a church environment. Download a Transcript of the episode here.
Episode 5: Accessible Church with Jess Thompson from New Wine
Jess Thompson is Head of Accessible Church Ministry at New Wine. She shares her experience working alongside those with disabilities at the summer conferences but also in local churches. Download a Transcript of the episode here.
More info on New Wine’s Accessible Church Ministry can be found here: https://www.new-wine.org/networks-ministries/accessible/
Episode 6: Children’s Work and Disability Inclusion with Alex and Helen
Alex and Helen from Holy Trinity Leicester share their experiences of making their city centre church more accessible to children. With personal stories, theological reflection and raw honesty, this conversation is not to be missed. Download a Transcript of the episode here.
Find out more about their work here: https://htl.church/htl-kids/