Adeyfield Free Church in Hemel  Hempstead is pioneering a monthly  Messy Church tailored to children with  additional needs and their families.  Founders Trish Hahn and Tim Wood  share the joys and the challenges 

‘It’s great to be able to take children with special needs  somewhere where their differences are celebrated and  accepted’ said one parent who attends Messy Church Special  Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) run by Trish Hahn  and Tim Wood of Adeyfield Free Church in Hemel Hempstead,  Hertfordshire. ‘We love the atmosphere – it’s friendly, lively and  fun.’ 

Trish and Tim set up the project in 2011 as a new expression  of church. Trish’s daughter has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and  Trish wanted her to experience church in ways that met her  needs. 

‘Our aim is to make these families feel welcome, accepted  and loved regardless of each child’s condition. We make Bible  stories interactive, using puppets and drama, and adapt other  resources where necessary. We also provide a variety of crafts  and tactile activities to learn about God and his word, as well as  a dedicated “chill-out” room with sensory toys,’ Trish explains. 

Messy Church SEND takes place on Sunday afternoons  monthly and has 37 regular families on its books. Between  eight and 17 of these families, as well as a steady stream of  newcomers, attend each month. Children attending have  cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, learning or physical  disabilities, epilepsy, blindness or may be on the autistic  spectrum. 

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Trish deals with general organisation and leads the  30-strong team of volunteers who help facilitate the ministry.  Some volunteers have prior experience of working in a Special  Educational Needs environment, which has been shared in-house;  the volunteer team also receive external training. The  project is funded by Adeyfield Free Church as part of its  community outreach activities. 

‘When we meet, there is a real sense of God’s presence and  favour,’ says Tim. For him, one of the particular successes  of the ministry has been the relationships that are forming  between families who attend. ‘Two single mums of children on  the autistic spectrum have developed a really natural bond’ he  says. 

The project needs to undergo constant developments in  order to continue to meet the needs of those who attend. Widgit symbols – small images that add visual support to  printed text – which enable children of a range of abilities to  better understand and communicate, have been introduced.  As some of the children have very sensitive hearing, the sound  system is turned off during sung worship and ear defenders  provided. 

Another recent development in the life of the project has  been the introduction of Makaton. ‘We are learning to use this  language programme – which uses speech, signs and symbols  for basic communication – during the worship and prayer time,’  says Tim. He and Trish are working towards including Makaton  alongside other forms of communication in the wider church. 

Tim continues ‘As a church we believe that everyone,  including those experiencing disability, are made in the image  of God (Genesis 1:27). We want to accept, love and value every  disabled child, and their family unit, encouraging them through  love in action to personally know Jesus. As an “all-inclusive”  community, we are learning to journey alongside these families  to meet with God together in a unique and special way.’ 

Trish and Tim ’s top tips for making your  children ’s group inclusive for those with  additional needs 

• Use visual, audible and tactile objects to act out  story time and encourage greater participation. Try  incorporating a parachute, water, sand or pebbles 

• Local toy libraries are an untapped resource. They  have a range of sensory, cause and effect and tactile  toys to hire for a nominal fee 

• Use jelly, custard, cornflakes, corn flour, pasta and  Play dough for messy play 

• Have a quiet room/chill-out space available – even  a pop-up tent will do – for people on the autistic  spectrum or those who need time out 

• Provide a visual timetable of your programme of  activities – use photos or pictures on a display board.