CAPTION: Some of the group that attended the Inclusion Champions launch evening on 12th February 2025
Church For All: New Inclusion Champions to make a difference in Devon churches
The Diocese of Exeter is committed to seeing more inclusion of children, young people, and adults who have disabilities, additional needs or who are neurodivergent.
Wednesday 12 February 2025 saw the official launch of Inclusion Champions across the Diocese of Exeter.
An Inclusion Champion is someone who is welcoming, relational and passionate about seeing everyone in their church involved in the community, and offering their gifts and talents in service of God and others. A key part of what they do is to walk alongside those with disabilities, additional needs and neurodivergence, and their families – to enable them to take part fully in church life, and to grow as disciples of Christ.
We believe that everyone is unique and valuable and has a part to play. In their role, Inclusion Champions will help their church to deliver activities in a way that will encourage participation of all people in a sustainable and manageable way.
The Inclusion Champions launch event was hosted by St Jude’s Church in Plymouth, and around fifteen different churches are organisations were represented from across the county.
The event was led by Claire Reynolds, the Disabilities Advisor for the Diocese of Exeter.
Claire said, “It was a great evening and wonderful to see so many churches and communities represented.
“An Inclusion Champion is someone who will encourage and enable more involvement in our worshipping communities of people with disabilities, additional needs and neurodivergence. The initiative is to encourage churches to appoint Champions who can lead this vision in their churches.
“We know that Jesus loved and especially welcomed in those people traditionally on the margins of society. We also know from the Bible that everyone is unique and valuable and has an important role to play in the family of God. So this initiative is really important”
The evening also saw a presentation by Dr Pat Eyres, who is the Devon and Cornwall Coordinator for Christian charity Through the Roof. Through the Roof works with churches and people to transform the lives of those who are disabled or have additional needs.
Pat said, “As the Devon and Cornwall co-ordinator for ‘Through the Roof’ (TTR), I was very happy to be involved in the launch event and have the opportunity to highlight Through the Roof resources available to support this vital role.
“Inclusion for disabled people has to encompass both minimising access issues, promoting a true sense of belonging and looking at how we can ‘commission’ the skills and abilities of everyone, including those with a disability, in the life and work of our churches. The inclusion champion role is a vital part of realising this ambition.
Inclusion Champions originally stemming from an idea from the Christian charity Urban Saints. The Urban Saints Additional Needs Ministry Director Mark Arnold sent a personal message for the launch evening and said, “I’m hugely encouraged by the work Claire and the team are doing at the Diocese of Exeter to make Inclusion Champions a key focus for all churches.
“A Church that has an Inclusion Champion at the heart of what they do is a growing church, a thriving church, that welcomes everybody with open arms.”
If you are interested in appointing an Inclusion Champion, a useful pack has been produced with key documents such as a role description and useful resources and training, to help churches grow in this key part of their ministry.
If you would like to know more please contact Claire Reynolds on 07858 313677, or email Claire Reynolds.
