Spring 2026 Vital Link Newsletter: Celebrating 1,000 Roofbreakers

Welcome to the Spring 2026 Vital Link newsletter from Through the Roof.

Our theme in this issue is 'Belonging', to celebrate the launch of a must-read new book: 'Belonging Without Barriers'. 

Download your PDF copy (with alt text and reading order, to support screen-reader use).

This issue, we explore what it means to find true belonging in community. At Easter, we remember how God sacrificed Jesus, so we could truly belong in His Kingdom.

• Celebrate a huge milestone: 1,000 Roofbreaker disability champions!
• See International news, including Belonging in Kenya, with Wheels for the World
• Hear about 'One Body, Many Parts' for Disability Awareness Sunday 2026
• Update your TTR contact details on the form with this newsletter or email or call us (details below)
• Support us with a standing order or a donation for a new ABC Journey resource, or through prayer 
• Find out about two new books on disability: 'Belonging Without Barriers' and 'He Dances With Wheels'
• Share your views in the Together Fellowship survey and read about the Windows of the Soul retreat
• Read tributes to TTR Founder, Colin Reeves, and Roofbreaker, Elana, whose legacies live on.

Note: There have been updates to dates for an Upcoming Wheels for the World trip to Rwanda in September 2026. The dates are:

• Dates:  1st–12th September 2026, Destination: Rwanda (Kayonza & Kamonyi), Partner: FoH Rwanda.

Please email Kathy Birch  Kathy@throughtheroof.org to apply or get more information.

Alternative formats

Vital Link is available in many different, accessible formats:

• large print, Word file, braille, audio link, CD.

Contact us on 01372 749955 or email info@throughtheroof.org to request one of the above accessible formats.

• As above, there is the PDF with alt text and adjusted reading order
• Or read Vital Link onscreen with the Joomag viewer below:

Roofbreakers in Kolkata India in 2026

A team of 5 UK volunteers – Abigail, Anne, Vitoria, Martyn and Janet – were privileged to serve as Roofbreakers in Kolkata India in 2026. They travelled to Kolkata for 10 days, meeting some inspiring people, and sharing about the importance of Christian disability inclusion. This followed a Wheels for the World trip to the same area in March 2025. The UK team shares this reflection on their time in Kolkata.

Breaking down barriers 

What a joy it was on our first day to be able to run a seminar for church leaders, and to hear overwhelming responses from those present who committed to going back to their church communities and making changes to ensure disabled people can access the Gospel and Christian life. We pray this seminar has changed hearts and minds and the message will have an ongoing impact on all the churches represented, and the individuals they will be in contact with.

The Roofbreaker team also spoke at a large workshop at a leprosy mission hospital with people from various different missions and organisations. Some had travelled 200km to be there. Leprosy is still a big problem in India, and following the workshop we met some of the patients in the hospital and heard about some of the amazing ministries in the area, including a children’s centre that we visited, providing education, meals and healthcare to children from the slums.

High and low, great and small

It’s difficult to sum up what we experienced throughout our time in Kolkata. We spoke into such different contexts: a large church service (and sung a worship song with sign language); but also a small house church serving people in the slum areas. Such a humbling experience to hear of the challenges they face, but a real inspiration to be able to worship with them (with just a tambourine for accompaniment) and to pray together.

We also met with members of a Deaf church, where we shared the Through the Roof story in sign language, and spent a very special time with members of the Deaf community who have come to faith. The pastor has begun a project to translate the whole of the Bible into Indian Sign Language. It is a project that will take 15 years, and he’s already done 2 years, so the Bible is already becoming more accessible for the Deaf community. In Kolkata alone, there are over 50,000 Deaf people, so this is a huge mission field, and a life-changing ministry.

 

Blind lady reads Bible in Bengali braille 

Members of a blind ministry group welcomed us, and we worshipped and prayed together and spoke about the Through the Roof message. Their Bible reading was from John chapter 9 about the man who was born blind, when Jesus ruled out sin being the cause, and said it was to display the works of God. This was read to us by a blind lady reading from Bengali braille. What a powerful message as she was undoubtedly displaying the works of God herself through what she was reading!

Many ministries and Wheels recipients

During our time in Kolkata we were blessed to visit several of the recipients from last year’s Wheels for the World trip (including Kamula, pictured with her son Amos). It was obvious how life-transforming the mobility equipment had been, both physically but also spiritually too, and the audio Bibles were constantly mentioned as being so important to people. More stories will follow!

We visited other ministries, including the Mother Teresa centre and a home for children with additional needs run by the Missionaries of Charity. Also, a slum ministry where a converted bus is used to provide children from the slums with education and a meal.

Transforming lives through Jesus with disabled people

All in all, a truly humbling trip, and we do pray that the message we shared with everyone will have a lasting impact and provide encouragement for those we met, and that ultimately it will make a real difference for the future.

Pray with us that lives will be transformed.

 

You may have heard that our journey home was disrupted due to the war in Iran, involving an extended stay in Dubai in March 2026. We are grateful to God for His provision and protection during this difficult time.

Join us in making a difference

You can be part of this life-changing work. Whether through volunteering, giving, or praying, your support helps empower disabled people in low-income countries and change perceptions worldwide. To get updates on our international work, or all our projects, choose what you'd like to hear about on our Get Updates page.

Online event: Belonging Without Barriers

"Belonging Without Barriers is not just another resource on inclusion; it is a call to action... for anyone involved in ministry." (from the Foreword by Tim Wood, our CEO)

Join us to meet the authors of 'Belonging Without Barriers: Building Accessible Christian Community', a much-needed resource on disability inclusion as a gospel issue. Register free for this online event:

Belonging Without Barriers: Meet the Authors

Saturday 16th May 2026
10.00 - 11.30 am (UK time) on Zoom

Speakers: Triona Brading, Lois Bunyan & Claire Wood - authors of 'Belonging Without Barriers'.
With disabled Roofbreaker disability champions sharing their lived experience
Host: Tim Wood, Through the Roof's CEO, and the Roofbreaker Team
Cost: FREE of charge

Register: at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Z9RkiWiDRNKtbcwaeWedAg#/registration
An email will then be sent to you with the Zoom link to join the meeting (on 16th May at 10am UK time).

Hear practical, down-to-earth inclusion ideas, as well as lived experience stories. Explore why disability inclusion is linked to the heart of the Christian faith. Be inspired by the passion of young Christian authors: Triona, Lois and Claire, as they share their personal and professional experience of church disability inclusion.

Triona Brading works in SEND children’s ministry, Lois Bunyan works in disability arts, and Claire Wood is a teacher. The authors are also Roofbreaker disability champions in their local communities who felt called to create this disability inclusion resource. We pray it will help many more UK churches catch the vision for disability inclusion. 

This is a chance to reflect on the 'why', with disability theology made simple. Also get practical ideas for supporting different disability needs in your church. Take part in discussion by sending in questions for a Q&A session on registration at this link or ask on the day.

Come along and hear more about 'Belonging Without Barriers'. The book we hope will be a game-changer for the UK Church!

You can follow the authors on Instagram: @belonging_without_barriers 

 

News release: Disability Awareness Sunday 2026

‘One Body, Many Parts’: Independence or Interdependence?

‘One Body, Many Parts’ (1 Corinthians 12) is the theme of this year’s Disability Awareness Sunday on 27th September 2026. Young autistic Christian author, Triona Brading, is encouraging all churches to ‘save the date'! 

Triona is one of the authors of a new book: ‘Belonging without Barriers’, a much-needed resource on disability inclusion as a gospel issue, due out on 20 March 2026. Also by Triona Brading is ‘In His Image’, a colourful children’s book on what it means to be neurodivergent. 

For Disability Awareness Sunday, Triona is teaming up with charity Through the Roof on a new free resource for churches, due out in April, exploring how all types of people are needed in God’s Church – including those who are disabled or neurodivergent. 

In a video to accompany the resource, Triona will share her story of discovering, aged 21, that she is autistic. She is passionate about sharing the truth that being ‘different’ (in how your body or brain works) does not stop you being part of God’s family or using your gifts to strengthen it. ‘You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.’ (1 Cor. 12:27). 

What is ‘Interdependence’? 

Interdependence is depending on each other and on God to support our needs. The world encourages us to depend on no-one but ourselves. But Jesus encouraged true community and interdependence. The beauty of an interdependent church is the opportunity to bless and serve each other, bringing our unique gifts, skills, experiences, strengths and weaknesses for God to use to build his kingdom.  

Triona herself explains how she sees God’s family, the Church, as interdependent: 

‘Every part is needed: [1 Cor. 12] verse 21 gives quite a funny visual to imagine... (As an autistic person, I might chuckle to myself because I will imagine it literally happening!) “The eye can’t say to the hand ‘I don’t need you’. The head can’t say to the feet ‘I don’t need you’. In fact, it’s quite the opposite”. 

Can you imagine it?! Body parts going rogue and breaking free of the body, hopping away and trying to live independently of one another? … That’s the thing about us as the Body of Christ. We need one another!’ 

Tim Wood, CEO of Through the Roof, who wrote the Foreword to the book ‘Belonging Without Barriers’, says: 

‘At its core, accessibility is a theological issue. The Church is the Body of Christ and every member is an indispensable part of it (1 Cor 12). … Scripture teaches about inclusion, dignity and (one of Through the Roof's core values) interdependence. In a world that often prioritises independence and perfection, the gospel offers a different vision: interdependence and grace. Interdependence recognises that we are dependent on God and interdependent upon one another. Arguably it is modelled by God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.’ 

Join us to celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday 

Celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday on 27 September 2026 or on any Sunday! 

It is a chance for churches across the UK to begin or deepen conversations about inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent people. It’s about being God’s family, journeying together. 
 
Download the free resources to show Triona’s video, involve disabled people in worship, and take a step toward a church where every person belongs and can play an active part. 

📥 Get a copy the free resources (in English or Welsh) at: 
throughtheroof.org/forchurches/disability-awareness-sunday 

🙏 Be part of the movement. Let’s transform lives together. 
 

Through the Roof is a UK Christian disability charity, named after the original ‘Roofbreakers’ who lowered the paralysed man through the roof to Jesus (Luke 5). Their mission: transforming lives through Jesus with disabled people. 

The charity resources volunteer Roofbreakers – local disability champions who help guide their churches on a journey of Access, Belonging, and Commission. 
 
Follow Through the Roof on socials @TTRChangesLives or visit www.throughtheroof.org 
Find Triona on Instagram @triona.creative.discipleship  

 

Longing to Belong: Wheels in Elburgon, Kenya

“Do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
A promise carried in the hearts of the team from the moment they arrived in Elburgon.

A Welcome That Spoke of Belonging

When the Wheels for the World team arrived in Elburgon in January 2026, they stepped into a celebration of song, prayer, and warmth. Members of the local church gathered to welcome them—an early sign of the deep sense of community the team would experience throughout the mission. The team were there to restore freedom and fellowship for local disabled people, through the gift of refurbished wheelchairs and mobility aids, which would enable those who could not walk to re-join their community.

There were some unexpected challenges, like our local partnership contact, Pastor Davis, being injured in an accident on his way to meet them! But all were met with grace and resilience, protected by God's guiding hands. Bishop Joseph stepped in immediately, guiding the team with kindness. This set the tone for a journey built on partnership, unity, and belonging. 

Preparing a Place for Every Person: Sorting, Assessing, and Praying with Purpose

On the setup day, the team walked to the distribution site—tech bags in hand—to organise dozens of wheelchairs, mobility aids, and crutches. As Sarah led a reading from Luke 9:51–56, they reflected on Christ’s unwavering purpose and their own call to keep focused on serving with compassion. 

The careful preparation wasn’t just technical work. Each Bible was labelled and made ready for anyone desiring Scripture in their own language. Therapy stations, prayer spaces, and a reception area were arranged thoughtfully so that every recipient would feel valued, seen, and welcomed. This mission wasn’t simply about giving equipment—it was about inviting people into full belonging within their families, churches, and communities.

Start of Distribution: Belonging in Action

Friday brought energy, joy, and a sense of holy anticipation. Working closely with local volunteers and translators, the team supported thirty‑six people with wheelchairs, crutches, and other aids. Each individual received not only equipment but also prayer, dignity, and community. 

Among their stories were two especially powerful testimonies of belonging restored.

Samuel’s Story: A Pathway Back to Community

Samuel had lived with a double above‑knee amputation since a life‑changing accident in 2013. Once a driver, he longed to return to work and to reconnect with friends and his church, Challenge Church. But without a functioning wheelchair, even reaching the market was a struggle.

Fiona, a therapist, assessed him and selected a strong self‑propelled wheelchair. She encouraged him to practice balancing, but Samuel felt more secure using the rear anti‑tip devices, which the tech team adjusted to fit him perfectly. When asked what belonging meant to him, Samuel shared:

“This wheelchair will help me go to the market to find work. I’ll be able to see my friends again, and return to church.”

He also received a Bible in Swahili—something he treasured deeply.
Samuel’s mobility was restored, yes—but more than that, his place within his community was restored.

Josephine’s Story: A Growing Girl Held by Her Community

Five‑year‑old Josephine is bright, cheerful, and growing fast. Until this mission, her mother had to carry her everywhere—school, church, and even simple visits in the neighbourhood. The weight was becoming difficult, and the family felt increasingly isolated.

The team found a suitable, stable wheelchair for Josephine. Even though it couldn’t fold, its removable wheels meant her mother could manage it. Her mum’s relief was immediate and overflowing.

Her brothers and sisters were excited too—they couldn’t wait to take turns pushing her to school, church, and visits with friends.

This wheelchair wasn’t just a device...
It was Josephine’s doorway into belonging—with her siblings, her church, her community, and the world around her.

Reaching Lare Ward: Belonging Spanning Generations

Six people travelled more than 40 km from the village of Lare Ward to receive help. Among them was Esther, aged 102, accompanied by her youngest son, Daniel—aged 60. Esther thanked God for the wheelchair that would allow her to sit in the sunshine, visit neighbours, and take part in community life again.
Her story perfectly captured the mission’s heart: belonging is for every generation.

Jennifer, the story correspondent for the mission, shared this reflection: 
"It is so special to be able to help people – and even more special to be able to help a village! We were blessed today to be able to help people from Lare Ward. They had been referred to the programme after their approach to their Member of Parliament, who was able to connect them to Bishop James, and on to Pastor Davies and this Elburgon distribution. ... All were supported by their families and came from various Christian denominations, and they all accepted a bible and prayed with Sarah, our volunteer pastor. "

Sunday Worship: Celebrating Unity in Christ

On Sunday, team members visited different churches, where they were welcomed like family. The joyful singing of children, youth, and choirs filled the services. The team was even asked to sing—responding with When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. 
The preaching was in English with Kiswahili translation. Sarah, the UK volunteer pastor, gave a short address. Then Kathy the UK Team Leader shared a message about access, belonging, and commissioning, urging churches to embrace disabled people as full participants and contributors to the life of the church. The message resonated deeply. 

Continued Distribution: Meeting Needs with Love

People arrived steadily each morning seeking help and prayer. Individuals from the local area, including care homes and children’s homes, received thoughtful, tailored assessments.
The technical team crafted creative solutions—including rebuilding the base of a worn single shoulder crutch for a boy who clearly preferred it over a pair.

Jennifer the correspondent shared this message as the mission drew to a close:
"We had very mixed feelings as we came to the centre this morning and prayed with our wonderful local team. We know that we have been doing God’s work in assisting many people, but we are also conscious that there is much more need that we can meet on this mission. Deuteronomy 3:18 tells us that we should not be afraid or discouraged."

Around extra 30 wheelchairs and several mobility aids were left with the local team for ongoing distribution.
Tools—including a drill—were donated to help the church continue essential maintenance and wheelchair repairs.

Time and again, the focus was not merely on mobility—but on restoring people’s ability to belong in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities.

Partnerships That Build Community

Before returning home, the team visited Kenyatta University, donating equipment to support students with disabilities in accessing educational programmes. They also reflected on the vital partnerships that made the mission possible—church leaders, local government, Kenyan Railways (who allowed the church field to be used as a waiting area), and countless volunteers. 
Belonging, once again, was something created together.

Carrying the Message Home

On 31 January, the team returned to the UK, grateful and changed. The words of 2 Corinthians 5:9 echoed:
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.”

This Elburgon mission was more than a distribution of wheelchairs.
It was a living picture of what belonging looks like in the Kingdom of God:

Every person valued.
Every contribution honoured.
Every life woven into community.

And everywhere a wheelchair rolled, hope rolled with it, so that no-one was left with an empty longing to belong... all could access their community once again.

Could you volunteer for a Wheels for the World short-term mission?
We are always looking for people to share their skills and time to transform lives with love in action.
Find out more and join the journey: visit this page to read about international mission opportunities.

New purple logo for Through the Roof

At Through the Roof, the Christian disability charity, we have updated to a new Through the Roof logo, with purple as the main colour, to be more accessible.

We'd been increasingly conscious that, from an accessibility perspective, our old main charity colour of red could be difficult for those with colour-blindness, or with dyslexia, to engage with. We wanted to improve this, so we explored different colour combinations, contrasts and shades.

We chose purple as the main colour, supported by green and blue – similar to our existing logo – and a lighter colour to replace the red: golden yellow.

Purple is increasingly being used to represent disability in the charity sector: SCOPE, the major UK disability charity has a purple logo, and the initiative 'Purple Tuesday' is a day when businesses are encouraged to consider their disabled access. So purple seemed like a good choice. 

The overall design of the logo remains the same: with four coloured roof tiles, laid over each other to form a star shape, with text saying 'Through the Roof' in white on the front tile. This choice of roof tiles reflects the charity name, which is based on the accounts in the new testament of a disabled man being lowered through a roof by his friends, who had removed the roof tiles so he could meet Jesus. The different angles and colours show that God uses all the different gifts and projects of his Church to build a community that includes everyone: disabled and non-disabled, UK and international, as we are ALL God's people.

Our newsletter Vital Link rebranded in November 2024, to include the new Through the Roof logo in purple, with an updated design.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on what colours work, or do not work, for you. Accessibility is so important, so please let us know of any issues to our main office: info@throughtheroof.org

Online talk: Ramps, steps and toilets!

Do you have questions about how your church buildings could be more accessible?

Join us for a practical, down-to-earth Q&A session with consultant Occupational Therapist and Roofbreaker, Dr Patricia Eyres, as she gives an online talk:

A Practical Welcome: Ramps, Steps and Toilets!!

Monday 16th March 2026
7.00 - 8.00 pm (UK time) on Zoom

Speaker: Dr Patricia Eyres, Occupational Therapist
Host: Our Roofbreaker Team
Cost: FREE of charge

Register: at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/r4T0iE-cSOaZ7Ypi9cQ9Xg#/registration
An email will then be sent to you with the Zoom link to join the meeting (16th March at 7pm UK time).

This is a chance to ask questions and get practical advice on how to make the most of your church buildings and resources, whatever your context. Questions can be submitted in advance: see registration form for 'A Practical Welcome'.

Come along to explore practical ways to create a more welcoming space for everyone.

Online talk: Communicating with Non-speaking Children

Ever wondered 'How do I communicate with non-speaking children?' 
Watch the video to find out how! - coming soon ...

Online talk: Held
Monday 9th February 2026
7.00 - 8.00 pm (UK time) on Zoom

Speaker: Evangeline Thanaseelan, a speech and language therapist
Host: Roofbreaker Children and Youth Ministry Network
Cost: FREE of charge
Watch the talk: Video coming soon! Link to be added here when subtitled.

Share in Evangeline's knowledge and expertise with non-speaking children; hear about practical resources to use.

Evangeline is a Roofbreaker disability champion who works as a speech and language therapist in Birmingham. She has a passion for helping to communicate with children and young people with additional needs, and finding ways to truly hear and embrace every child and young person’s voice.

Here are topics the talk covers:

Further information: To find out more about the Children and Youth Ministry Roofbreaker Network, please email Carol@throughtheroof.org

Know and Grow Makaton Taster Sessions

We were thrilled to have Janneke Klos from the Christian learning disability charity Count Everyone In joining us for a series of regional events, organised by our Roofbreaker networks.

Janneke says...
Makaton is a communication programme designed for adults and children with communication needs. In these practical sessions, we will explore how Makaton signing can be used to make the Gospel more accessible. We will learn some basic Makaton principles and some of the Christian signs.

There were five free online taster sessions of one hour, running between January and March 2026, organised to bring together Roofbreakers and others from different parts of the UK. In each session, Janneke taught us signs in Makaton, so we were able to sign the Lord's Prayer by the end of the session! It was a very powerful and enjoyable experience. 

If you missed the sessions, don't worry! Janneke and Count Everyone In are continuing to offer online Know and Grow Makaton training for a fee: visit Count Everyone In's online booking site.  

And if you want to learn the Lord's Prayer from Janneke in Makaton, you can access a video of it free in the 'Worship for Everyone' Lord's Prayer resources in the Songs for Schools series - which is also available to churches with a CCLI copyright license. 

News release: Through the Roof Celebrates 1000th Roofbreaker

Through the Roof recently registered its 1000th Roofbreaker, and calls on others to join this growing initiative, as we celebrate the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December 2025.

What is the Roofbreaker movement?

Supported by three years of funding from Benefact Trust, Through the Roof provides resources, training and support to volunteer disability champions – or Roofbreakers (named after the Bible account in Luke 5) – to journey alongside disabled people in UK churches.

Despite the potentially destructive name, the purpose of Roofbreakers is to build up the Church – embracing everyone as made in God's image and enabling disabled people to be fully involved in building God's Kingdom.

Our 1000th Roofbreaker!

The 1000th Roofbreaker to sign-up was Clive at the FIEC Leaders Conference in Blackpool.

Clive and his wife, Hannah, have a wonderful daughter, Chloe, who is 20 years old, and is a wheelchair-user with a learning disability. Clive said that Chloe has taught him many things in life – the most important of which is that we are ALL made in the image of God.

Clive and Hannah would love to see others in the Church engaging with the subject of disability inclusion, for each to be a community where everyone knows the reality that everyone is made in the image of God and ALL are fearfully and wonderfully made.

('Made in God's Image' was the 2025 theme for Disability Awareness Sunday, which can be celebrated on any Sunday! To access free disability inclusion resource for churches, follow this link to our Disability Awareness Sunday page.)

Transforming the Church

Through the Roof’s Chief Executive, Tim Wood, declared, "It is great to reach this significant milestone, but we can't stop there! We want to see a Roofbreaker in every church. In the UK, the number of young people under 18 is about the same as the number of disabled people. If we think about how much time, resources and energy goes into children and youth ministry and compare that to disability ministry – there's a huge difference! That's why we're so committed to supporting people who want to be ambassadors in their local context".

Jo Luck, Senior Grants Officer for Benefact Trust, said: “Through the Roof’s Roofbreaker initiative is transforming churches into truly inclusive communities. Reaching 1,000 Roofbreakers is a milestone worth celebrating – it reflects a growing commitment to ensuring disabled people are fully involved in church life. Everybody should feel empowered and have equal opportunities to thrive, and that’s why we feel privileged to support Through the Roof with this vital work.”

Tim concludes, "Through the Roof wants to ensure that we're all reaching out to those who get overlooked, to make sure everyone finds their place in God's family. We want to enable disabled people to use their gifts to disciple others and bless the Church. We'd love more people to join us in making a difference."

Be part of the change

Join 1000+ Roofbreakers so your church can be blessed by the full involvement of disabled people: visit https://www.throughtheroof.org/roofbreakers/ (social media @TTRChangesLives).

More about Through the Roof and Benefact Trust

Through the Roof trains and equips churches and other organisations to be inclusive of people across the whole spectrum of disability. Watch the video ‘Why every church needs a Roofbreaker’ on YouTube (@TTRChangesLives) to find out more.

Benefact Trust is one of the UK's largest grant-making charities and awarded a record £25.5 million to churches, charities, and communities in 2024. Its funds come from its ownership of the Benefact Group – a specialist financial services organisation. Follow Benefact Trust on social media @benefacttrust, or visit their website for more information.