Boy using a Kaleidoscope Boy using a Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope SEND church at St John’s Colchester

27 October 2022

Beccy Gregerson from St John’s Church in Colchester had a clear God-given vision to provide church for families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Beccy Gregerson from St John’s Church in Colchester had a clear God-given vision to provide church for families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

To bring this vision to life, Beccy teamed up with Pioneer Minister, the Revd Sarah Hayward. Sarah ministers on a new housing development – Kingswood Heath in Colchester – where she has met and got to know a number of families with children with SEND.

Kaleidoscope was born! The first session took place in June at St John’s, it was kept deliberately kept small to ensure it wasn’t overwhelming for those attending. The team set up a sensory room with a black-out tent, bubble lamp and soft play. A different space was used for unstructured play and the main hall was set up with tables representing each day of Creation with activities to explore the story.

Revd Sarah Hayward explains more: “After an hour of playing and crafting, Beccy pulled us together for a visual demonstration of the Creation Story. The children added in the things they had made or explored including torches and soil and had a lovely time recognising God as the author of Creation. We finished with a simple prayer.

I was delighted that two out of the three families I invited came along and enjoyed the experience. One mum told me how her children loved the sensory space. She said they felt safe and comfortable, which increased their confidence when speaking to new people.

“Kaleidoscope will run once a month. We hope to welcome SEND families and be a non-judgemental space where they can come and feel free to be themselves.”