Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, ⁠what steps the Church of England is taking to ensure that its churches are accessible for disabled people in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

The Church of England is committed to improving accessibility so that all who wish to attend churches, whether for worship or community activities, are able to do so.

Parishes may apply to the Parish Accessibility Fund for up to £50,000 or a Small Grant of up to £5,000 for project proposals to improve the accessibility features covering structural alterations such as the installation of an accessible toilet, step-free access and production of large print texts. More information on the Parish Accessibility Fund is available here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/barrier-free-belonging/parish-accessibility-fund
The Diocese of Lichfield’s ‘Enabling All initiative’ offers support for its 540 churches including those in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire to become more accessible.

'Enabling All' offers web pages, online training, open drop-ins for individual questions, a church officer who can advise and an award scheme, all of which support churches to increase their accessibility. More information is available here: https://www.lichfield.anglican.org/inclusion/enabling-all/