Almost 20 leaders from a range of faith groups joined together to find out how to make their services more inclusive for children and adults with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Creating an autism-friendly environment

The evening training session, organised by the Royal Borough of Greenwich's ASD Outreach Service earlier this month, gave the group an increased awareness and understanding of how to create an autism-friendly environment.

The 18 faith leaders shared experiences, acquired new knowledge and strategies and came up with solutions to better cater to the needs of people with ASD. Faith leaders were overwhelmingly positive about the unique opportunity to work together and help achieve positive outcomes for people with ASD.

Embracing diversity

The training session on 14 May came just a few days after over 100 people attended an 'Embracing Diversity' event at Woolwich Polytechnic School which was organised by Greenwich Parent Voice (GPV), an independent group of parents who all have a child with special educational needs or a disability.

Carers, children, church leaders and support organisations came together for the Anglican service which was hosted by the Diocese of Southwark and open to people of other faiths or no faith and signed in Makaton throughout.

The service was introduced by Josephine Tontoh, who has a child who attends Bishop John Robinson School, and Anne Christopher, who is a member of GPV and founded the 'We Listen' support group for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) families.

Children with SEND were actively involved in the service and read prayers, while there was also a large quiet room for children to take time out. Javan Coker, a pupil at Charlton Park Academy performed at the service, which was followed by a free Caribbean lunch.

Greenwich Parent Voice will be using footage from the day, along with pre-filmed interviews with parents, to create a three minute short film to share on social media aimed at parents who may feel isolated, ashamed or excluded.

'Disabled children should always feel welcome and valued'

Joanne Delap, co-parent director at GPV, said: "We hope this event is the start of an 'Embracing Diversity' movement within faith communities, supported by the excellent work the Council is doing in this area.

"Parents and their disabled children should always feel welcome and valued in their places of worship."

Children and young people who have SEND make better progress in Royal Greenwich than nationally at both primary and secondary school age, according to an Ofsted and Care Quality Commission report published last year.