Friendship and support for adults with learning disabilities

Summary

Faith and Light is a network of groups, founded by Jean Vanier, that offer friendship and support to adults with learning disabilities and their families.  The group is ecumenical with members coming from different church traditions.

How Faith and Light helps in St Petersburg

The St Petersburg Faith and Light group is made up of seven families who meet regularly through the year.   This is an opportunity to socialise informally in a supportive atmosphere, where those with learning disabilities are accepted as individuals.

Some members of the group live during the week in large institutions because their family is not able to care for them full time.  For them, these get togethers are particularly important.

Each year the Faith and Light group goes away for a week's holiday together.  This is half funded by SGF and half by the group's own efforts.  In June 2010 they held their camp at Munozero, Karelia, and were joined by members of the Moscow group, and local people known to the Kondopoga parish. 

"It was a fairy tale of impressions and emotions. Everyone was a bit dumb-struck by our welcome, the beauty of the setting, and the power of what we saw. We felt very important, really valued and loved. Our "special" children don't have these feelings enough, and nor do we in general."

How you can help

• £365 will enable the camp to take place in 2012

Donate now

Who takes part?

In 2010 the camp was made up of five families (parents with their disabled adult child), two disabled men who have no family but are friends with the Faith and Light group or the Kondopoga parish, and 6  volunteers.  The priest from Kondopoga and his wife also took part to see whether they can run similar camps for local people.  Altogether 20 people.