After a recent UCB interview about Messy Church, we received this enquiry into the Messy Church inbox:
I’m a mum of a 13-year-old with profound and multiple learning disabilities and Messy Church would be AMAZING as my daughter learns and plays at a pure sensory level. Please encourage young people and families like us to come and for teams to make the sessions accessible, as they would love this. Not special sessions but being included and welcome please, this would be awesome. Little changes like a table that can get wheelchair under for the items, a black tray or background so she can see them, an accessible building, symbols to choose what to do and ideally someone who understands, to support 1:1 just for a tiny while, so a parent could have a brew and chat to others for 15 minutes and they play independently.
But most important is: The Welcome.
We love God but find church is too much, but Messy Church would be a nice thing.
Hospitality is a core Messy Church value. We aspire to be an outward-facing ministry, welcoming everybody to enjoy the hospitality and unconditional love of God, regardless of age, stage, ability or ethnicity. We want hospitality to run through every Messy Church like a golden thread.
However, being a place of welcome for everyone, brings challenges. We asked Trish Hahn, our Messy Church SEND co-ordinator (you can read her Story), for some suggestions to help each Messy Church be ready to give a massive welcome to our enquirer and her family.
Trish: The initial welcome at Messy Church is crucial for families with children who have additional needs and disabilities. A friendly smile and a warm demeanour can make a significant difference in helping a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) family feel included and comfortable in a new environment with unfamiliar faces. Taking that first step into the unknown can be intimidating under any circumstances. For families like ours, the anxiety of stepping out of our comfort zones can feel overwhelming.
- Make your Messy Church accessible by considering not just the physical layout—such as tables, chairs, and space for wheelchairs or large buggies—but also including a basic “Now and Next” board. The Makaton website (http://makaton.org) provides a variety of free resources, including downloadable signs and symbols, to help you effectively use a “Now and Next” board.
- Offering sensory activities, like a sensory tray related to your monthly Bible story, can be an excellent way to include individuals with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
- Learning to support SEND families by offering a listening ear or providing one-on-one assistance for children, or adults, with SEND can help build rapport with parents. These parents often have few opportunities to relax and engage in conversations without being on high alert.
4. Second-hand shops and Pound shops in your area are excellent places to find affordable sensory fidget toys. These toys are beneficial for both children and adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as they help manage anxiety.
5. Seeking advice and support from individuals trained in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), such as local Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, or Speech and Language Therapists, can greatly benefit the volunteers on your Messy Church team. Find out if anyone in your Sunday congregation has these skills and could either train or join your Messy Church team. Creating a welcoming environment can significantly boost creativity, enhance focus, and provide the right kind of sensory support for a positive experience at your Messy Church.
I wonder…?
How can you make your Messy Church more accessible to a SEND family?
Which of these 5 suggestions could you try?
If you would like to explore this topic further, we recommend:
- Messy Church How to Welcome People with SEND – 16-minute video packed full of top tips.
- Belonging without Barriers: Creating accessible Christian communities Authors: Triona Brading, Lois Bunyan and Claire Wood. A guide to understanding those with disabilities or additional needs and an invitation to all to change our church communities so that they belong.
You may also like
Messy Momentum – Mission Log: Spring 2026
14th Apr 2026The first term of our Messy Momentum pilots has flown by, and the first shoots of life have sprung up in the spring term!
Missional Youth Church Network – Ignite resource
12th Feb 2026The Ignite resource is designed to help young people grow in faith and develop as young leaders.
2025 – a year in the life of Messy Church ministry
7th Jan 2026Aike shares her reflections on where God has been at work amongst BRF Ministries Messy Church team in 2025!
Aike’s Advent-tures in Finland
3rd Dec 2025Aike recently visited Finland where she encountered a winter wonderland and experienced star gazing, from dark skies to the amazing colours of the Northern Lights and God's awesomeness in creation, where love, light and hope can be found!
