This is basic information about services for people with special needs, whether hearing-impairment or disability.
For spiritual care provided for those in hospitals or nursing homes, please consult the Chaplains section.
Churches with a loop system for the hard of hearing, and access for the disabled, have this information given in their entries in our Church Finder.
Priest with responsibility for those with special needs:
Rev Canon Kevin O'Driscoll, 226 Trelawney Avenue, Langley, Slough SL3 7UD
Tel: 01753 543770
Deaf and Hearing Impaired Pastoral Service
Co-ordinator: Mr Martin Redmond, Kings Corner, 9 Main Road, Biddenham, Bedford MK40 4BB
Tel: 01234 218036
Email: martinredmond@btopenworld.com
Chaplain: Rev Gerard Byrne, St Brendan's Catholic Church, 151 Beanfield Avenue, Corby NN18 0AZ.
Telephone: 01536 202879
The Pastoral Service helps hearing impaired people to share fully in the life of the Church. This is promoted with the help volunteer groups throughout the Diocese.
Masses in Sign Language and Spoken Word are held regularly; meetings, pilgrimages, retreats and social events are organised and catechists are provided for deaf children.
Bishop's Hospital Advisor:
Rev Jonathan Hill, 366 Leagrave High Street, Luton, Beds LU14 0NG
Tel: 01582 663706
email: frjonhill@orangehome.com
Catholic Handicapped Children's Fellowship
The CHCF in Luton gives support to people with disabilities and their families in the town. Each month they organise a special Mass which is always a joyful, comfortable experience. Parishes in Luton take in turns to host the Mass and provide refreshments afterwards.
Their holiday chalet in Hemsby, Norfolk, gives families who care for somebody with a disability an opportunity to have a holiday in a place where they do not feel uncomfortable or "stared at".There is no charge for the use of the chalet, but families often make a donation. The chalet is available to anybody in the Diocese (not just Luton) and is given out on a first come/first served basisChairman: Judith Beare, 34 Marlborough Road, Luton, Beds LU3 1EF
Tel: 01582 736752
Vice Chairman: Mrs Kathy Scott, 4 Cotswold Gardens, Sundon Park, Luton LU3 3EG
Tel: 01582 574051
Secretary: Andrea Leather, 34 Mendip Way, Sundon Park, Luton, Beds Lu3 3JL
Tel: 01582 503533
Booking Officer for Hemsby Chalet: Mrs Kathy Scott, as above.
St Thomas A Becket Foundation
The Foundation is a separate charity working within, and supported by, the Diocese, to make a positive difference in the lives of disabled people. Its website is www.st-thomas-a-becket-foundation.co.uk/
Click here for information about the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.