For the last few years, I’ve had a burning question that has been growing in my heart and mind: “Does the alongsider vision only work among university educated and highly intellectual people, or could God use anybody?”

I’ve been around people with learning disabilities and additional needs for my whole life. Members of my close family, cousins, friends, and neighbours are affected. And my life has been immeasurably richer for having them in it!

The more time I spend with these precious people, the more I see them having a vital role in the Body of Christ. They aren’t just people who need care and protection, they need to have people getting alongside them, encouraging them, and equipping them to make their own unique and essential contributions.

I now have the opportunity, partnering with our local church, St John the Baptist Leicester, to pioneer a new ministry among people with additional needs and their families. This will doubtless end up looking very different to a traditional Navigators ministry! But I’m excited to start discovering some answers to my burning question.