Ararat Baptist Church ‘highly commended’ for additional needs welcome  

A Baptist church which hosts a community cafe that provides opportunities for young people with additional needs has received recognition in a community awards ceremony

The Cardiff and the Vale Parent's Federation presented Ararat Baptist Church with a Highly Commended Certificate in its latest 'Understanding Disability Awards'. 

Ararat provides space for Miss Tilley's Community Cafe, an organisation which employs and supports those with additional needs.   

The church operates a popular community café called the Ark, which officially opened in 2018. On Fridays the Ark is run by Miss Tilley’s.  



Miss Tilley’s was started by Laura Tilley and Clare Rowthorn to provide meaningful activity and employment for those with additional learning needs. With a motto of “Promoting equality, Celebrating Diversity”, it runs cafes at various locations including other churches and in the South Wales Fire and Rescue HQ canteen.
   
Ararat has provided a warm welcome to Miss Tilley’s for nearly six years. Every few months all involved at Miss Tilley’s are invited to the church’s Sunday morning service, where they are encouraged to take part.   

The certificate was received by Jayne Porter, Ararat Church secretary and Michael Davies, part of the Miss Tilley's team and a church member. 

The award was ‘a real surprise’, said Jayne, ‘It was a great honour to be invited to accept this certificate on behalf of Ararat and the Ark Café.   

‘Miss Tilley's is a great asset both to the church and its community, and we love having them with us.’   

The Cardiff and the Vale Parent's Federation has supported parents and unpaid carers of children and adults with learning disabilities for more than 30 years.  

Its awards are ‘dedicated to recognising excellence in inclusivity’, and aim to ‘shine a spotlight on exemplary practices that can serve as models for others to follow.’ 



The ceremony on 31 October saw a range of individuals and organisations honoured, and was attended by local dignitaries including the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff, and the Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan. The Federation’s monthly newsletter described it as ‘a vibrant celebration of inclusivity and community spirit’.  

Jayne added, ‘The whole awards ceremony was such an inspiration, and I came away recognising what amazing things can be achieved together.’  


Images 
Top | The Award ceremony with Michael Davies, Jayne Porter and the Deputy Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan
Middle | The Miss Tilley’s group at the Ark Café in Ararat Baptist Church