Continued from Page 1
team faced health challenges too. Sally, a
wheelchair user herself, had a medical relapse and
lost mobility down one side of her body and Jean
experienced food poisoning. Sadly, a few days
after returning, Jean suffered a sudden aneurysm
and tragically died. Her doctors said that the
previously undiagnosed condition was not related
to her Nigeria trip. We are all shocked, and there is
a tribute to Jean later in this issue.
Contact Details
Through the Roof, Alpha
House, Alpha Place, Garth
Road, Morden, Surrey,
SM4 4TQ
Phone:
01372 749955
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.throughtheroof.org
Nigeria seems to be full of optimism for a better
future, but also some eye-opening poverty and
heart-breaking situations. The challenges in
Nigeria, and all the other countries we visit, are
great, and our desire is to run one extra wheelchair
distribution every year--to do this we need to
increase our capacity and we are working on
establishing a second prison workshop to
refurbish wheelchairs. We would also like to
increase the number of volunteers making minor
repairs and adjustments at our warehouse in
Fawasi threw his hands in the air in
spontaneous gratitude!
Aldershot. If you can help support future trips,
either by giving of your time and skills, or through
a donation, please get in touch.
New Publication: A Church That Cares
By Ros Bayes, Training Resources Developer
Through the Roof recognises that most churches want
to provide excellent pastoral care and become
communities where disabled people and their families
can belong and contribute, but that many don’t quite
know where to start. Following several requests for a
guide, we have just produced ‘A Church That Cares’ --
a new and very practical publication, which we hope
will give you concrete suggestions and examples to
make the task seem less daunting.
Our Vision
‘… is all people enjoying
life together, mutually
giving and receiving, as
God intended’
Our Mission
'… is transforming lives
through Jesus with
disabled people’
Through the Roof Charitable Trust Ltd is
a UK Registered Company number 04201510
with offices at Alpha House, Alpha Place,
Garth Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 4TQ. It
is also a Registered Charity Number 1087788.
Quotes are sometimes edited for clarity and
length
Vital Link is designed and printed
by PDC Design & Print
www.pdc-kingston.co.uk
Drawing on my own experience, and that of other
disabled people and their families, I take a look at
what kind of pastoral care will really make a difference.
I look at the unique challenges faced by disabled
people, especially those who are themselves parents,
and by mothers, fathers and siblings of disabled
children, as well as the disabled children themselves. Order ‘A Church that Cares’, and get some
amazing tips for supporting families living
The publication looks at the foundational principle of with disability.
love and how this can be used to underpin and inform
our approach to pastoral care. Topics covered include practical, emotional and spiritual support, both
within meetings and for those who are unable to get to church gatherings. It’s on sale now in our
website shop (www.throughtheroof.org) for £5.
Breaking Through More Roofs
We’ve recently been awarded a 3 year grant to employ someone to expand our Roofbreaker project –
ensuring the involvement of more disabled people in church life. Throughout the recruitment we sensed
the Lord leading us to an unexpected decision – not only to appoint a Church Inclusion (Roofbreaker)
Co-ordinator – Janet Eardley, for 2.5 days per week, but also offer Fiona Gosden the role of Deputy Co-
ordinator for 1 day a week. We’re delighted both accepted the offer, and they introduce themselves on the
page across…
www.throughtheroof.org