Learning Disabilities
Canon Bob Brooke, Chaplain for People with Learning Disabilities
Minutes from recent Task Group meeting
Bob Brooke
Bob Brooke - email here
The Revd Canon Bob Brooke is the Diocesan chaplain for people with learning disabilities and has many years of experience in this field of work. To support the work there is a diocesan task force and a planned programme of meetings and retreats over the year (see below).
Bob is also secretary to an organisation called FaithCAN, which seeks to enhance the place of people with any disability within the life of the worshipping community. The vision of FaithCAN is the full inclusion and participation of people of all abilities in the faith communities of Yorkshire and Humber region and enhancing all social and community cohesion. The Mission of FaithCAN is to promote inclusion equality and partnership in different faith communities, to research the potential contribution and needs of disabled people to/of faith communities and to explore the spirituality of inclusion and participation.
Retreats for people with learning disabilities
There is annual programme in the Diocese of retreats for people with learning disabilities and their friends. There are usually three retreats each year, two one day events on Saturdays usually in the spring and early summer and one residential weekend in the autumn. At these retreats a Christian theme is explored using art, drama, music and other participatory activities.
Coming soon :-
"We're in this together" - a chance to share in different activities (art, music, drama, dance) with people with learning disabilities. Open to everybody. Saturday 17th October 10am to 4pm at Chapel Allerton Methodist Church in Leeds.
More information from Bob Brooke, St David’s House, Waincliffe Drive, Leeds LS11 8ET (0113 270 2829)
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). More information is available from Bob.
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.
Minutes
Learning Disabilities Task Group, May 18th 2009
PRESENT: Dave Foster (Chair), Gordon Bradley, Bob Brooke, Andy Mosby, Brenda Stanton (Secretary), Tim Tunley.
1 APOLOGIES Adrian Alker, Andy Mosby
2 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING The minutes were accepted as read.
3 MATTERS ARISING
Retreats – the Retreat held on 21st March was very good with the best ever attendance – 40.
The next Retreat will be held on 13th June at Darley.
The Weekend Retreat will be held on 25-27th September at the Briery, Ilkley.
Booklet – is finished. The Archbishop of York has written the foreword. It will be presented to Synod on 11th or 12th July in a motion to commend it to all Dioceses. A group from Faith & Light Nottingham will attend.
Faith & Light 2010 – possible venues suggested are the Sports Hall at the David Young Academy, Manston Church, Mayfield Community Centre in Crossgates and Barnbow Club.
FaithCan – now need to apply for money to appoint a worker. Meanwhile an office can be set up and some awareness raising could be done. West Yorkshire Ecumenical Council Active Faith Communities have offices and could provide space.
Chaplain Amongst Deaf People – Rachael has been appointed to the half-time post.
Celebration Service Review – the Service was very good with positive responses from the Church hosting it. The Rector at Leeds City Church played drums. More people were participating than observing.
4 AWARENESS RAISING
Autumn 2009 Event – Bob found that St Matthews Church was not suitable but the Methodist Church have offered dates: 17th or 24th October, 21st November. Marina suggested a couple who do craft workshops. A dance workshop would be good. Indepal S Sagoo and Marion Small can do drumming. Pyramid of Arts may have a contact. Bob has a contact in Ben Rhydding. A small group will meet to consider ideas – Bob and Brenda plus others.
5 ANY OTHER BUSINESS – Tim’s apologies for the next meeting.
6 DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
Monday 14 September 2009
Monday 16 November 2009