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16 May 2016

Christian disability charities team up

Prospects and Alliance member Livability have joined forces to support people with disabilities.

The two major Christian providers of disability services will be working together to support more people.

Prospects are joining Livability in order to build capacity, enhance delivery, grow disability awareness, mobilise a broader supporter base and maximise effectiveness and sustainability.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and Livability's president, said: "I'm delighted to see Prospects joining the Livability family to share their resources, experience and passion. Both charities do extraordinary work, empowering those with disabilities to play a full part in the body of Christ and to bless the church and wider community with their gifts.

"I look forward expectantly to see what new possibilities emerge from this exciting partnership. Please join me in prayerfully supporting this next chapter in the journey."

While Prospects are initially joining the Livability group structure, they will be a fully integrated part of Livability within two years. The plans have been announced after months of exploring opportunities for joint delivery, growth and quality, motivated by a shared, dynamic and broad Christian ethos and with a clear commitment to social inclusion.

Mick Ledden, CEO of Prospects, said: "Delivering the best possible service and experience for the people we support is top priority for our charities. With such an alignment of ethos and strategic focus, joining our operations and expertise with Livability will enable us to enhance sustain and deepen our work.

"We are really excited to be extending our impact by joining the Livability Group."

Both charities are major providers of disability services, partnering with churches and other local agencies in the delivery of care throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Livability created Churches Inc, a disability and accessibility charter for churches, and have been delivering training on shaping Dementia-friendly churches. They have been working with Mind and Soul and Greenbelt to enhance understanding of mental health issues within the Church.

Prospects deliver training to equip churches to offer accessible worship and bible teaching and partner with more than 400 churches to run 220 church-based ministry groups, developing the Ability Sunday campaign to help churches recognise the gifts people with learning disabilities bring to the Church.

They have also partnered with Alpha to create an accessible version of the Alpha course for people with learning disabilities.

As a member of the Evangelical Alliance, Livability is one of 600 organisations supported by the Alliance. We facilitate members' initiatives and campaigns and offer support to increase their impact. Member organisations have an opportunity to speak to the media on behalf of our membership, as we direct media and information enquiries to member organisations best placed to deal with them. The Alliance also provides training for organisations on how to engage with the local government and media. If you would like your organisation to become a member of the Evangelical Alliance, you can find out more here.