Neurodivergent people bring creativity, insight and gifts that enrich our churches and communities.
Neurodiversity Forum
22 October 10am-12pm, Zoom
Our Neurodiversity Forum is for lay and ordained people in leadership who identify as neurodivergent, whether they have been diagnosed or not. It is a space to make connections, support and encourage each other. We all have strategies for ways to help ourselves and some things we find really easy, so it's great to share.
Following a successful launch of the Neurodiversity Forum in May 2026, we are pleased to announce the next meeting will take place via Zoom in October. You are very welcome to join, whether or not you came to the launch.
By request from those at the launch we will be looking at:
- Creative ways to make churches neurodiverse friendly (sharing wisdom);
- Diagnosis: getting one and adjusting to one.
There is no need to book, but Jane Hemmings would be grateful if you could drop her an email at jane.hemmings@oxford.anglican.org to give an idea of numbers
Join the Zoom meeting from 10am on 22 October
Feedback from the launch event
"It felt like a very safe space for me. Thank you for setting up this event."
"Well organised, relaxed, opportunity to hear from others and share experiences together in a safe and positive environment."
"Knowing that we are not alone and that there is possibly more of a recognition that we have great gifts to offer in the Church of today."
Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2026
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a chance to celebrate the unique ways God has created each of us. Throughout this week we are sharing a series of short videos highlighting different perspectives and experiences of neurodiversity in the life of the Church. We hope they spark conversation, deepen understanding and help our churches become places where everyone can belong and flourish.
Read stories from across the diocese:
- Milton Keynes community creating welcoming spaces for neurodiverse families
- Supporting and working with dyslexic people
- Embracing neurodiversity in the church - how to create inclusive spaces
- Allowed to be fully ourselves – launching the diocesan Neurodiversity Forum
Creating a safe culture for neurodivergent people
The Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Revd Dave Bull, is lead bishop for Equality Diversity and Inclusion in the diocese. He said:
“Every person we ever meet is precious to God, and they have the potential to make a one-of-a-kind contribution to the life of the church. Our prejudice stops us from seeing this potential and our EDI work is about helping us learn to see all people as Jesus sees them... Where people feel they can be fully themselves and freely use the gifts that they bring – often because of their different way of thinking – our churches become more like the communities God designed them to be.”