disabled people
I currently work on delivery of the PIP benefit, which is a vital lifeline to thousands of disabled people.
I have really valued the synod commitments over recent years to affirm and include disabled people in the whole life of the church, and most recently to recognise the blessing to church and to society brought by those who are neurodivergent.
My name is Gaynor Halls, and I am standing for General Synod because I believe the Church must listen more closely to the lived experience of its people, especially those in rural communities, disabled people, and those who depend upon strong, compassionate parish ministry.
One supports disabled people access welfare and social care and the other seeks to provide mental health support through access to the creative arts.
Most recently I have been working as part of a subgroup of the Archbishops’ Council Committee for the Ministry of and amongst Deaf and Disabled People and, over the past five years I have spoken in General Synod on a range of issues, including: Disability and the inclusion of disabled people within the Church; Prayers of Love and Faith and the welcome of LGBTQ+ people; The full acceptance and inclusion of neurodivergent people.
This gave me valuable insight into the experiences of disabled people in the Church, and the ongoing need for their greater inclusion.
Many disabled people aren’t so fortunate and individual churches are ill-equipped both in knowledge and resources to reach out into the disabled community and welcome them in.
It has also made me realise how important it is that the Church listens to disabled people and understands that accessibility is about much more than simply whether someone can get through the front door.
I want to use my experience to be a voice for disabled people and to encourage greater disability awareness across the Church of England.
I want to be part of building a Church that is safe, welcoming and accessible; a Church that listens to children and young people; a Church that values disabled people and recognises the gifts they bring; and a Church where everyone has the opportunity to discover and grow in their relationship with God.
I want to contribute constructively to the Church’s continuing work on racial justice, inclusion and accessibility, including addressing barriers experienced by disabled people, so that our structures and culture increasingly reflect our Christian commitment to dignity, justice and mutual responsibility.
This includes people living with dementia, LGBT+ people, disabled people and neurodivergent people, all of whom should be fully welcomed, valued, and able to belong.
It’s important that Synod encourages and prioritises this in all forms. Urban ministry I have served for 21 years in urban parishes across the diocese, and am committed to ensuring that voices and stories from our most deprived communities are heard. Working with and among disabled and D/deaf people I have Level 3 BSL and have worked and ministered with and among disabled people.
I want to be a voice for those who are sometimes overlooked or not always heard including women, disabled people, people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, those from less advantaged backgrounds, and LGBTQI+ people.
It’s centred on lived experience – disabled people gathering to resource each other and the Church. Since 2023 I've co-led neurodiversity training in the diocese, initially for clergy and licensed lay ministers, children and young people's ministry, bishops and senior staff.
I've asked 30 questions on matters from safeguarding to racial justice, finance, governance and ministry. I've offered 14 speeches in debates on: assisted suicide, codes of conduct for lay officers, disability, funding priorities, governance, LLF, national care service, neurodiversity, poverty, racial justice, representation, safeguarding, and the value of work. I was elected by Synod to the Committee for Ministry of and among Deaf & Disabled People (CMDDP), a sub-group of the Archbishops' Council.
And to Canon C4.3 to put in protective safeguards for disabled people in the discernment process.
Safeguarding: As a parish safeguarding officer, I understand the practical challenges of supporting children, disabled people, vulnerable adults and older people.
Throughout my own ordained ministry I have been involved in vocations work and am encouraged by the steps Synod has taken towards enabling the ministry of disabled people and those from working class backgrounds.
This, as well as having close family with chronic illness, makes me a keen advocate for inclusion for disabled people, particularly those with hidden disabilities.