Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Prospects becomes part of Livability

The national Christian disability and community charities Livability and Prospects for people with learning disabilities have joined forces

Livability

Initially joining the Livability group structure, Prospects will be a fully integrated part of Livability within two years. A statement announcing the move said: ‘We can build capacity, enhance delivery for the people we support; grow disability awareness; mobilise a broader supporter base and maximise our effectiveness and sustainability. Working together creates a sharper and more effective Christian organisation fit for its mission in the 21st Century.’

Both charities are major providers of disability services and have mobilised the UK church to recognise the contributions and needs of disabled people, and build towards inclusive and accessible communities.

Livability created ‘Churches Inc’ a disability and accessibility Charter for churches. It delivers training on shaping Dementia Friendly churches. More recently, it has raised understanding for mental health issues within the church through partnerships with Mind and Soul and Greenbelt, the national arts and faith festival.

Prospects delivers training to equip churches to offer accessible worship and bible teaching and partners more than 400 churches to run 220 church-based ministry groups. Prospects has developed the ‘Ability Sunday’ campaign to help churches recognise the gifts people with learning disabilities bring to the church.

It has also partnered with Alpha to create an accessible version of the Alpha course for people with learning disabilities called ‘Access to Life in Jesus’. Jonathan Edwards, the former General Secretary of the Baptist Union, is an ambassador for Prospects.
 
Between them, the charities have a staff base of over 2000, over 1500 volunteers and 1000s of donors and partners all committed to helping improve the lives of disabled and disadvantaged people.
 
Prospects was founded by Baptist minister David Potter with wife Madeleine in 1976. David, a member at Thatcham Baptist Church, said:

From the very first ‘seed’ idea Madeleine and I could never have envisaged that through Prospects so many hundreds of people with learning disabilities would be supported, so many thousands would learn of God’s love, so many churches across the UK would welcome people so long overlooked. What God has done!
After 40 years, God is taking Prospects into a new era of partnership where its strengths can fortify a sister organisation and in turn receive strengthening for the ongoing well-being of people it supports. And now, as in 1976, we cannot know how great are the possibilities in God’s purposes.

 
Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury, is Livability’s President. He said:

I am delighted to see Prospects joining the Livability family to share their resources, experience and passion. Both charities do extraordinary work, empowering those with disabilities to play a full part in the body of Christ and to bless the church and wider community with their gifts. I look forward expectantly to see what new possibilities emerge from this exciting partnership. Please join me in prayerfully supporting this next chapter in the journey.

 
 
 
 

Baptist Times, 12/05/2016
    Post     Tweet
Baptist Union Council: March 2025
Discussions about the future of ministerial formation, how to effectively enable the Baptist voices in the public square, and the return of public resolutions to the Baptist Assembly, all took place at the latest gathering of Baptist Union Council
'A privilege to see the ripple effects of Project Violet impact the Baptist global family'
Participants have been reflecting on the Project Violet International Symposium, which saw more than 30 Baptist women from 10 countries deliver theological papers and engage in plenary discussion
Churches invited to apply for science-faith funding
Churches across the UK can now apply for a grant of up to £10,000 for a project which creatively brings together their faith and a scientific topic
Flowing faith from one generation to the next
The Baptist Union of Great Britain with BMS World Mission are launching a new church resource to help those considering an ongoing blessing to support God’s mission both in the UK and overseas
Fresh Streams calls Baptists Together to a day of prayer and fasting
Fresh Streams is calling Baptist churches, ministers, and individuals across the UK to unite in a dedicated day of prayer and fasting on Thursday, 27 March 2025
'We urge the Government to rethink its decision immediately'
General Secretary Lynn Green has joined Methodist, Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church leaders in expressing regret and lament at the Prime Minister’s announcement of further cuts to the international development budget
     Latest News 
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast