Archive

Faith in Practice: Including People with Learning Disabilities in Faith Communities
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities,
fpld@fpld.org.uk
£5 for carers and young people, £15 for professionals and organisations

STAR RATING: 5/5

This is a sensitive and sensible analysis of people with learning difficulties and their faith and, in turn, the impact this has on the wider faith community, writes Peter Iweanya.

The short film highlights inclusivity, respect and love within all the faiths. It is a delight and an encouragement to see faith in action as a blessing and as a main thread of the lives of those profiled. One of the most important aspects of the film for me was that, in all the religions featured, people with learning difficulties were seen as active members of their religious faiths and very much as equals.

This DVD is food for thought. It will naturally encourage and promote discussion. Whether you have a faith or not you will be challenged. All faiths need to review what they presently provide for people with learning difficulties, and it was great to see the non-judgemental encouragement that is provided quite naturally in the film.

The main point that struck me was the passion and importance of the individual's faiths in the film and the way that this love and respect was reciprocated by members of the respective faiths.

Peter Iweanya is a loss and bereavement therapist with Brent Learning Disabilities Partnership