Disability Welcome Delivery Group To Be Established

The Governing Body of the Church in Wales is establishing a Disability Welcome Delivery Group to help improve the welcome, inclusion and participation of disabled people across the life of the Church.

We want this work to be shaped by people with lived experience, as well as those who are passionate about helping the Church become more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for those with disabilities.

Disability is often defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term impact on a person's ability to carry out day-to-day activities. For this project, however, we want to take a broader view of lived experience.

You may be neurodivergent, live with a long-term health condition, experience challenges relating to mental health or ageing, or care for someone who does. You may not identify as disabled but still experience some of these barriers. You may also bring relevant professional knowledge or expertise.

Whatever your experience, we would love to hear from you.

We are particularly keen for the ideas, priorities and direction of this work to come from people with lived experience. We want to listen to and learn from those who encounter barriers, as well as those who have ideas about how the Church in Wales can become more welcoming and accessible for people with disabilities.

There are many ways to contribute.

Alongside the main Disability Welcome Delivery Group, we intend to establish a range of Advisory Groups to ensure that a wide variety of experiences and perspectives help inform the work. These may include:

• Physical Disability
• Sensory Disability
• Neurodivergence
• Mental Health
• Parents and Carers

You may wish to be considered for appointment to the Delivery Group, contribute to one or more of the Advisory Groups, or simply share your experiences and ideas as the project develops.

Whether you bring lived experience, professional expertise, or a desire to help create a more welcoming Church, your contribution will make a real difference.

If you would like to be involved in any way, please complete the expression of interest form.

The Governing Body’s Standing Committee will consider all expressions of interest and appoint the members of the Delivery Group which will steer the work. The Delivery Group will reflect a broad range of lived experiences, skills, perspectives and will include diocesan representation. Expressing an interest will also help us as we plan the Advisory Groups which will be open to everyone.

Expressions of interest must be received by Sunday 16 August 2026. 

This is an opportunity to help shape how the Church in Wales becomes more welcoming, inclusive and accessible for current and future generations.

We are keen to establish the Delivery Group and Advisory Groups as quickly as possible so that this work can begin with energy, urgency and purpose. If you have lived experience, insight, expertise or a passion for helping others feel more fully welcomed into the life of the Church, we encourage you to express your interest now.

Please do not assume that someone else will speak for your experience. Your voice, perspective and ideas can help the Delivery Group shape meaningful change. We would love you to be part of this work.

The first meeting of the Delivery Group will take place on Tuesday 8 September, with the first meetings of the Advisory Groups taking place later in September.

The Disability Welcome Delivery Group has a clear and time-limited remit, reporting its findings and recommendations to the Governing Body in September 2027.

Contact: DisabilityWelcome@cinw.org.uk