The Church of England ‘Parish Accessibility Fund’ offered through the Disability Project aims to help parishes to enhance accessibility and inclusion for those who are Deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent.
https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/barrier-free-belonging/parish-accessibility-fund
The CofE webpage includes: ‘Having rolled out this scheme initially to parishes in the Northern Dioceses, we are pleased to now be able to open this welcome grant-funding to parishes in the Province of Canterbury’ This includes the Diocese of Gloucester, from 1st April (2026)
‘Parishes will be able to apply for funding for small projects with a grant of up to £5000, or larger works with a grant value of up to £50,000.
Small projects might include ideas such as implementing a new supportive group for disabled people, improving signage and imagery with inclusivity in mind, enabling dementia-friendly church, or perhaps training for staff, volunteers and congregations.
Larger projects could include structural alterations to buildings, installing technology such as a hearing-aid loop, purchasing appropriate seating, redesigning the height of surfaces/information boards, providing large-print resources and so much more. ‘
I have sent an application for the Accessibility Fund to the Disability Project email and would like to know if it has been received or who to talk to please. I would be very grateful for help in reaching the right person to talk to.
Thank you
Dr David Turtle, St Lawrence Church Lechlade