“We need to start outside”, says Trystan, 9, my articulate and chatty guide who’s giving me a tour of the Galaxy Club - an inclusive set of clubs hosted by Christ Church, Bexleyheath, that offers kids, teens, and adults with additional needs, a safe place to interact, play games, be creative with arts and crafts, and much more.
Right now, we’re by the entrance to the church hall and he’s describing the club’s purple banner and what I can expect from the evening.
“Everyone here is either dyslexic, dyspraxic or has another need,” he explains, “but it doesn’t matter once you are here as we are all just ourselves and we understand each other.”
Inside he takes me on a tour of the different activities on offer that are laid out on tables. There’s some music on in the background and several kids are enjoying lounging on a set of bean bags in the corner or playing pool.
“I really like coming here”, Trystan says, “because I can meet up with friends.”
And that is the whole purpose of Galaxy Club. Run by a small and passionate group of volunteers, most are connected to the church and have children with additional needs.
“It all came out of a conversation on the playground” says Vicky, one of the Galaxy Club founders and also the Parish Administrator for the church.
“A number of us, all with kids who have additional needs, realised that there was no out-of-school provision designed for neurodiverse kids, where they could just get together and have fun.”
According to Health Education England NHS, around 1 in 7 of the UK population is neurodivergent.
Neurodiversity refers to the different ways the brain can work and interpret information. Neurodivergence includes a range of conditions including Attention Deficit Disorders, Autism, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
“This is ‘Action God’ as I call it!” says Vicky, who along with Stacey, another founder and church member, both recognise God’s presence in the club even though it is not a faith-based group.
“We describe it to people as a community group supported by the church,” says Stacey, “which people seem to really get as an idea.’
The church provided an initial seed corn grant and offers the hall for the club’s use. There is even a termly visit by the vicar.
There is a definite flow between the club and the church as attendees are always invited to attend Messy Church, which is an environment that seems to suit the club’s young people well.
However, Vicky has broader ambitions.“This is about our church taking a leap of faith and being inclusive in its fullest sense"
She continues: “It’s not just about what the church offers these young people but how can we educate our church members as to how those who are neurodiverse can enrich our church community just by their presence.”
It’s clear the club makes a huge difference to those who attend.
The evening’s session is punctuated with moments when a member of the team or a parent notices a small step their child has taken that marks a significant development for them – perhaps it is the first time since attending the club that they have spoken to another child or taken part in a kick about with the football.
It may have been the first time they have been comfortable staying for the whole session.
As one mum explains, her son likes the variety of activities on offer and it’s good to be in a place where you don’t have to worry about whether your child’s particular needs will be accepted.
It’s also the closest provision to her, which as a sole carer, makes it easier for her to get out and meet others.
It’s moments like these that, for Vicky and Stacey, make it all worth it.
And for any church interested in meeting a similar or even a different need in their area, Vicky says, “Don’t try to run before you can walk, but definitely take that leap of faith.”
This article was first published in the August-October 2023 edition of the Diocese of Rochester's quarterly magazine Together. Read it in full here