TTR Board & Council of Reference

Bruce Fox - Chairman
David Dawson - Deputy Chairman
John Brown
Simon Nicholson
Dr Mike Townsend
Rev John Naudé

Tim & Abigail 'Live@Nine' on Revelation TV

TTR development manager, Tim Wood, and young role model, Abigail Smith appeared on Revelation TV's 'Live@Nine' programme on the 15th April 2010. They spoke about autism, and about how churches can help those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The programme will be repeated in future -- please check www.revelationtv.com to find out more.

During the show, Tim mentioned a few resources on our site. Follow the links below to find them.

Social Story -- Singing in Church

Social stories are short stories used to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders to interpret challenging or confusing social situations. They describe situations, attempt to explain the perspectives of others and often suggest an appropriate response. Here's an example of a social story about why people sing in church, and what might be appropriate behaviour.

Follow this link to download a social story about singing in church in Word format

Ten Ways Churches Can Help Autistic People

Each autistic person is different, but here are ten general pointers that will assist many autistic people…

Knowing what to expect

Knowing what to expect is really helpful for autistic people. Information on the church website, including photos or a video, can be particularly helpful for any autistic person to know what to expect when coming to your church
An order of service, a visual timetable, or a clear explanation at the beginning of a service or meeting can help an autistic person to know what is going to happen and to be able to take part.

Sensory processing support

Sensory overload can be distressing for autistic people. If bright or flashing lighting is going to be used, please ensure clear warning is given
Loud noises can also cause sensory overload. If amplification is loud or noises are sudden this can cause difficulties. Those involved in worship and audio visuals should be made aware of this
If possible, have an area identified as a space for ‘time out’ in the event that autistic people need to retreat for a while if they experience sensory overload
Many autistic people dislike being touched. Handshaking, or hugging, as part of the welcome to church or as part of sharing the peace, can cause great discomfort. Make sure people are given the space they require
If an autistic person experiences sensory overload, this may result in a ‘meltdown’ or ‘shutdown’. In children, this is often interpreted as a temper tantrum. It is important for everyone to realise that this something that is happening to the individual and is out of their control. It is helpful not to judge, but to give the opportunity of somewhere quiet to cool down
Social situations can be exhausting for autistic people. Take time somewhere quiet to be able to sit and get to know each other, and to find out what gifts and talents the autistic person may like to share with others too.

Nominating a Roofbreaker champion

Have a ‘Roofbreaker’ (disability champion) at your church. This gives a clear point of contact for anyone to be able to mention any challenges they may be experiencing relating to autism, or any disability. It also encourages everyone at the church to be more disability-aware
Churches with a Roofbreaker will receive free resources and have access to free training from Through the Roof. Follow this up to ensure autistic people, and anyone experiencing disability, can feel truly welcomed and included in your church.

For more information, or to register as a Roofbreaker, follow this link: https://throughtheroof.org/forchurches/roofbreakers/

Press Photo for Haiti Event

Click on the thumbnail to load a 1.5MB print quality version of the picture. The picture shows Chris Grayling, Shadow Home Secretary and MP for Epsom and Ewell, with Through the Roof’s CEO, Jacky Oliver (in wheelchair).

Vital Link March 2010

The March 2010 issue of our Vital Link newsletter is out now. Click below to download it, and do get in touch if you’d like to be notified about future issues by email.

Follow this link to download a PDF of our March 2010 Vital Link Newsletter

Pupils raise money for Haiti

The pupils at Greville Primary School in Ashtead have raised £430 for 'Wheels 4 Haiti', a fund set up within Through the Roof's overseas programme 'Wheels for the World'.

The monies raised by the school will sponsor ten much need wheelchairs.

Pupils created collages of coins they collected to raise money for wheelchairs to be sent to Haiti, with the Epsom based charity. The school council, which is run by pupils from each year groups, chose to support the charity and invited a representative from Through the Roof to their school assembly.

Jacky Oliver, Chief Executive of Through the Roof, says, "Much of the inital giving to Haiti is for alleviating the immediate crisis, but long term the problem remains huge, with so many leg injuries. There is going to be an ongoing need for wheelchairs and for medical professionals to assist in fitting. Through the Roof is fully equipped to contribute through its Wheels for the World Programme and Greville's donation is a great addition to the fund."

Students at Greville school raise funds for Haiti

Thank you

We very much appreciate the sacrificial giving of our donors. It is our policy to always respond to donations over £20, therefore, if you do not receive a thank you letter for a donation sent to us by post, please contact us to ensure we have received your gift.

Christian Resources Exhibition

Through the Roof will be at the Christian Resources Exhibition, 11th – 14th May at Sandown Park, Esher, as part of a new ‘Churches for All’ disability zone. We will be situated in a different area to usual, to the left of the main entrance, on stand T12, sharing the area with other disability ministries and providing new resources, interactive seminars and presentations. Come and say hello!

Click on the button below to visit the CRE Exhibitor page.

Faithworks and other conferences!

Through the Roof were exhibitors at the

2010 Faithworks conference where we met lots of new people who had not previously heard of our work. We were particularly promoting our new website and the free resources for churches.

Next we'll be at

Mind and Soul ‘The Beautiful Mind’ conference - Holy Trinity Brompton, London SW7 1JA on Friday 26th March. More details and booking information from Mind and Soul (Please note, booking is online only, and the event is almost fully booked).

After that, we're at

Christian Resources Exhibition, 11th – 14th May at Sandown Park, Esher, as part of a new ‘Churches for All’ disability zone. We will be situated in a different area to usual, to the left of the main entrance, on stand T12, sharing the area with other disability ministries and providing new resources, interactive seminars and presentations.

7th October 2010 is a date for Ministers, church leaders and Youth Pastors to put in the diary. Through the Roof and Churches for All partners are planning a disability conference in Central London. Look out for further information soon.