A safe space to share
Agents of Change - Let's Talk About Disability are online gatherings, hosted by young people for young people, providing a safe space to discuss their own experience of disability in its broadest sense.
These events are open to anyone, aged 8 to 18, who is disabled, a young carer or an ally. They offer an opportunity to meet with others who share similar experiences and give one another support and affirmation.
BOOK tickets for Monday 7 November, 6.30pm to 7.30pm here
(Tickets need to be booked by parents of carers on behalf of children and young people)
Read on to find out more but if you have any questions regarding Let's Talk About Disability, please email Lynne Norman on the Children, Youth and Family Team.
The events were born, in part, because of the vision of one of our 2021 Methodist Social Justice Youth Reps. Rachael was keen to start conversations in the Methodist Church with and for disabled children and young people. She tells us more here:
These events seek to provide a safe space for children and young people, aged 8 to 17**, who are disabled, or who are young carers, to meet with others who share similar experiences and offer one another support and affirmation. Participants will be invited to 'take the floor' (but only if they want to) and share stories of their experiences both inside and outside the Methodist Church.
Let's Talk About Disability offers a chance to celebrate what works well, to identify barriers and to discuss what needs to improve so that the Methodist Church is a more welcoming place for disabled children, young people and their families.
Children’s and youth leaders, who would like to be part of this journey towards a more inclusive Church, are also invited to attend and will be given opportunity to network together and hear from the children and young people themselves.
Key learning from these sessions will be fed into the wider Justice, Dignity and Solidarity Strategy of the Methodist Church and will also inform the work of the Children, Youth and Family Team.
Parents /Carers will need to obtain tickets on behalf of their children. By booking tickets, parents will be agreeing to allow their children to access Zoom via the parent/carer's email address. They also agree that they will supervise the children's use of Zoom. Parents/carers are welcome to sit with their child if this will help with engagement and enjoyment of the event.
We're very keen that this event to offer as inclusive and welcoming a space as possible. The registration form will ask about measures we can put into place to help your child to engage as fully as possible with the event, but if you have any questions or concerns, or would like a conversation about accessibility and support, please contact Lynne Norman.
**If you are interested in events for those aged 18 and over, please contact equality&diversity@methodistchurch.org.uk