Additional Needs
Enriched by Each Other’s Presence: Support & Advice
The Southwark Additional Needs Network
Do you have the privilege of working with someone who experiences additional or ‘special’ needs?
Do you ever feel it would be helpful to be in contact with other catechists in similar positions to share: Experiences, Knowledge, Resources, Anxieties, Small-successes-that-nobody-else-would notice?
Consider joining the Additional Needs Network in the Archdiocese of Southwark. A network enabling mutually supportive links between all people who accompany special individuals towards the Sacraments etc.
There are members of the Additional Needs Network across the diocese, from Broadstairs in Thanet to Lewisham and Streatham. To register your interest, click on the button below or email our Additional Needs Mentor, Chris Henley additionalneeds@rcaos.org.uk
Part of the Some Definite Service volunteer missionary network.
Are you a parish catechist striving to meet the needs of all God’s children, but with little or no experience? You may find it helpful to begin by downloading and exploring this PowerPoint below. It is designed to help you assess the individual needs of each child or adult and give you the confidence to understand what might be possible and how to approach meeting their needs.
How to approach meeting individual needs
WIDGET online - Diocesan subscription
Do you have someone in your Sacramental Programme this year with additional needs? We have a Diocesean subscription for WIDGET Online, which allows you to change text into visual, symbol-based resources.
Apply for access to our WIDGET Online subscription for catechists and parishes today.
Fostering the Encounter: Resources
Homespun Resources
It often can feel difficult to find resources for those with additional needs that meet the individual need of the person in front of you. Here we offer you some that we have built. Even if they do not meet your individual need, they might give you the inspiration you need to build your own.
These resources are designed to be used in different areas of catechesis such as Baptism, First Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation. If you do create new resources, please feel free to share them with us so we can build this inventory.
If you find it beyond your ability to create resources that meet specific needs, please do be in touch and we will endevour to help you.
Commercial Resources
There are many resources available, but they can be expensive to buy or impossible to get hold of. Below is a downloadable PDF of some of what is available, including a resource from Loyola Press that we can show you to help you decide if it will meet the needs of the person in front of you.
A Culture of Inclusion: Guidance
discussion documents for liturgy groups and Parish Pastoral Councils
Word document/PDF for download and print
Church documents on disability
Download a PDF featuring links
DC personal reflection for catechists
Environment
Link or document on DDA compliance (physical space and buildings)
arrangement of liturgies
The Southwark Additional Needs Network
Do you have the privilege of working with someone who experiences additional or ‘special’ needs?
Do you ever feel it would be helpful to be in contact with other catechists in similar positions to share: Experiences, Knowledge, Resources, Anxieties, Small-successes-that-nobody-else-would notice?
Consider joining the Additional Needs Network in the Archdiocese of Southwark. Currently a small group but eventually hoping to create mutually supportive links between all people who accompany special individuals towards the Sacraments etc.
There are members of the Additional Needs Network across the diocese, from Broadstairs in Thanet to Lewisham and Streatham. To register your interest, click on the button below or email our Additional Needs Mentor, Chris Henley additionalneeds@rcaos.org.uk
Part of the Some Definite Service volunteer missionary network.