Children, Church and Changes...

Aurelie Norman embarked on a comprehensive project for Ps and Gs church, that aimed to provide more inclusive supports/practices across the children's ministry activities. Here is an interview of Rachel Cooney, the children's ministry director, as she reflects and evaluates this project.

What made you choose to use visual supports in all areas of children's ministry?

Having been a teacher and having young children of my own, I knew the importance of having tools to support all children and particularly those with Additional Support Needs (ASNs)/English as an Additional Language (EAL). We have several children attending our events, particularly our Sunday Groups and Energise, who have ASNs and we have several EAL families attending Babies & Toddlers and Bounce, so we knew it was particularly important to use visual supports at all our events. In addition to using visual supports for our events, I felt it was important to use visual supports for our team in the hope that it would support them with setting up and setting down events.

Our main aim in choosing to use visual supports in all areas of our Children’s Ministry at Ps & Gs Church was to support every child and make our events as accessible as possible, particularly as we welcome new families, children with ASL, care experienced children, refugee families and children with EAL.

What was the purpose of the training and what was the impact of it?

The purpose of the training was to equip my team with the skills, information, and resources they need to support every child and family that comes to our events. I want my team to feel enthusiastic, confident, and well-equipped. My hope was that after the training the team would know the importance of using visual supports, would feel confident using these tools and resources, and that the children and families would benefit from our visual supports. The impact speaks for itself; my team appreciated the training; they feel able to use our visual supports and we have now rolled out our visual timetables and visual environmental supports at all our events.

What difference have you already seen at children's events?

Children and families attending our events feel at ease knowing they are catered for. We have found that it has improved communication with, and understanding for, children with ASL and EAL. Children feel prepared, safe, and that the order of events is more predictable and desirable. Our team have built positive relationships with the children and families, and we are able to better cater for the needs of the families we have attending. We have seen an increased number of refugee and international families, deaf or hard of hearing families, and families whose children have ASL attending Babies & Toddlers and Bounce, as well as our Sunday Groups. Parents/c

arers feel supported, particularly around transitions, as we share Social Stories and Topic Outlines to prepare children ahead of Sunday Groups and other events. Our Children’s Ministry team also feels more at ease and better prepared, since they have the tools they need to support the children and families that are coming along. Even those who do not have children with ASL or EAL have found our visual supports helpful, particularly our visual timetables, as the parents/carers and children know what to expect and are better prepared for the sessions. We have even been introducing British Sign Language (BSL) at Babies & Toddlers, during our ‘music time’ (singing in a circle at the end of the session) which has further helped the younger children to settle in well. This is only the start, but it is very exciting! This is something I am very passionate about, and it is great to see that it is becoming a regular part of our Children’s Ministry events at Ps & Gs Church. I have so appreciated the expertise of Aurelie and her input, as well as input from others with a background in ASL/SLT/Child Psychology. I cannot recommend Aurelie enough, she is amazing!

What feedback have you had from the children, families and volunteers?

The feedback has been so positive; not just from children and families who are new or have children with ASL or EAL, but from a variety of families. Because we use visual supports that are consistent with Edinburgh Council (nurseries, schools etc.) it is much easier for children to know what to expect and it feels both familiar and safe. I am absolutely thrilled that we are becoming an accessible church that will continue to do our best to support every child and family that comes along.

She has been a huge support to me, and I so appreciate her expertise! Thank you, Aurelie!

If your organisation is looking for similar supports contact info@agnadvisory.com