Supporting People with Learning Disabilities
In collaboration with Count Everyone In, the Diocese presents this training course for anyone who wants to learn more about supporting and enabling people with learning disabilities, both in churches and in our communities.
This course will allow participants to better understand learning disabilities, and the kinds of challenges individuals with learning disabilities might face. We will also consider theological and scriptural foundations for thinking about learning disabilities, tools for making our churches spaces of belonging for all, and ways of supporting people with learning disabilities through major life events and experiences.
Book your place on the course here.
Everyone is welcome to join this course, whether you are simply interested in the topic, are already volunteering in a church, or want to enrich and expand your existing ministry.
This course will also serve as the first step for those who wish to become authorised lay chaplains supporting people with learning disabilities.
In this video, we hear from Brian about his experiences of church and why it's so important to him.
Course Dates
Taster session
- Thursday 13 November 2025
- 7.00 - 8.30pm
- Online, via Zoom
Session 2
- Saturday 28 February 2026
- 10.00am - 1.00pm
- Etheldreda House
- Please bring your own lunch.
Session 3
- Saturday 14 March 2026
- 10.00am - 1.00pm
- Etheldreda House
- Please bring your own lunch.
Course outline
Taster session
Find out about a vision for supporting and enabling people with learning disabilities in our churches and communities. This session will consider what ‘learning disabilities’ are, and will give an overview of the training course, as well as opportunities for questions.
Session 2
Why and how should people with learning disabilities be part of the church? In this session, we will explore biblical and theological resources for thinking about learning disability. We will also consider how we can ensure that church is a place of belonging for all, focusing on accessible buildings, communication, and services.
Session 3
In this session, we will consider how we can put people with learning disabilities at the centre of the church, moving from ‘welcome’ to ‘belonging’, exploring how we identify and grow people’s gifts and ministries. We will also think about how best to support adults with learning disabilities with their mental health, their relationships, and experiences such as bereavement.