Hannah Lewis explains why the Diocesan Disability Advisory Group is being set up and how you can get involved.
In Liverpool Diocese, we want to set up a ‘Disability Advisory Group’ to advise and support our central staff, and to offer good quality advice to churches to help them become welcoming places for disabled people. Once the group has evolved using the skills and energy of the people who volunteer, we will then plan the activities that can be taken forward. We plan to start by learning together with the needs of disabled people in our churches.
Activities could include:
- Meeting as a group (initially via Zoom or similar) a few times a year to share our experiences in a safe and confidential space.
- Helping with Church building and activity audits.
- Helping deliver disability awareness training.
- Providing advice relating to specific disabilities.
- There would be a chance for people to suggest ideas or activities relating to their own passions and skills to develop in the church
This would be a voluntary role but if any travel or other expenses are required we would ensure costs are covered.
This exciting group is just beginning, and what we’d like is for people to register interest by mid-April (15th April), ready for an initial meeting in May (on a day/time to suit everyone) when we can meet each other and begin to see what gifts and interests we have between us.
If you would like to ask more questions before getting involved, please contact Hannah Lewis on Hannah.lewis@liverpool.anglican.org or via text message on 07919 411817, or Email or telephone Laura on 07780448274 or email revlauraleatherbarrow@gmail.com
To register your interest please contact the above with the following information:
- Name
- Contact details
- Any access needs you require to be able to join a Zoom meeting
- Why are you interested in joining this group?
We look forward to meeting with you and sharing ideas together.
Rev Dr Hannah Lewis
Pioneer minister with the Deaf community