Synod, it is a pleasure to speak in this important motion. It gives us an opportunity to recognise and affirm that neurodiversity is a blessing to the Church, that neurodivergent experiences add to our experiences. That difference helps us to understand and reflect the glory of God. 

And I want to thank those that have shared their own stories and accounts during this debate.

I am someone with dyslexia. In my life, I have had to face the views of those who thought that I wouldn’t amount to much. I struggled at school at a time when we were given very little support, and therefore very little opportunity to help me to understand how I could overcome the challenges that dyslexia presented me.

I am still aware that words and names run off the page like water. I have to say that there are certain words that create great problems for me: Is it prostrate or prostate? I have learnt, however, and it wasn’t an easy journey. I have learnt that I am made in the image of God, and that I am called as somebody who is dyslexic, not despite dyslexia, and sometimes because of dyslexia.

And I now speak more regularly about my dyslexia because I hope that by sharing my own experiences, I might offer some encouragement that we are a church of all kinds of people.

Neurodiversity is not a problem to be solved within the church, but it is a gift. It is important that neurodivergent people within our church are not only functioning but flourishing. And in order to enable that, we must prioritise our learning and our listening. 

When I was the Bishop of London, we were able to hold a neurodiversity training, which was neurodivergent-led. I was really encouraged by the numbers that attended at all levels of seniority, and the training gave us better awareness of the strength of neurodivergent people and how we could support them. It was not a tick box exercise, but was invaluable for our life together and the culture of the Diocese of London. 

Through listening and learning, we have a responsibility to recognise the barriers that many neurodivergent people face, and we should commit ourselves to working for their flourishing. This is not only significant for those of us who live and work in the church, but it gives an opportunity for us to demonstrate our hospitality and welcome to all.

Central to this mission is the message that everybody is made in the image of God and called by name. This is a message for us to hear within the church and is good news for the communities where we minister.

May I commend the work of the neurodiversity working group to you, and I hope that we will support this motion, but most importantly, begin to change. Thank you. 

July 10, 2026