WECIL (West of England Centre for Inclusive Living)

WECIL (West of England Centre for Inclusive Living) WECIL is a charity run by and for disabled people. We support over 4,000 people in Bristol & the surrounding area every year.

WECIL is a disabled people's user-led organisation (DPULO). We run a range of services which can support disabled people through different areas or at different times of their lives. Services include:

* Information, advice & advocacy
* A peer-support project
* Young people's services
* A volunteer programme
* Direct Payments support
services
* Employment support for individuals and businesses

For a full list of services go to our website - www.wecil.co.uk or call us on 0117 947 9911

You can also keep in touch on Twitter

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week! The 16th to the 22nd March marks a global initiative that promotes underst...
18/03/2026

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week! The 16th to the 22nd March marks a global initiative that promotes understanding, acceptance and inclusion of neurodivergent people across schools, workplaces and communities.

Neurodiversity recognises that people think, learn and experience the world in different ways. These differences are a natural and valuable part of human diversity, not something that needs to be fixed.

Founded in 2018, Neurodiversity Celebration Week challenges stereotypes and encourages organisations and communities to recognise the skills, talents and perspectives that neurodivergent people bring. Real inclusion means creating environments where neurodivergent people can learn, work and participate in ways that support their strengths.

We believe that valuing different ways of thinking helps build stronger, more inclusive communities for everyone. Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week: neurodiversityweek.com

Help create inclusive play opportunities for Disabled children. Every child deserves the chance to play, connect and hav...
17/03/2026

Help create inclusive play opportunities for Disabled children. Every child deserves the chance to play, connect and have fun in welcoming community spaces! We’re looking for an Out and About Play Coordinator to join WECIL’s Children and Young People team.

You’ll plan and lead inclusive play sessions across Bristol, helping Disabled children take part in engaging community activities while supporting families with empathy and understanding. The role involves working across different locations in Bristol for 15 hours per week, including evenings and weekends, with a salary of £11,682 per year (based on a £29,206 full-time equivalent).

We’re looking for someone who understands the barriers Disabled children and their families can face, and who brings creativity, patience and positivity to making sessions welcoming and inclusive.

Apply today: https://form.jotform.com/260614566116354
Easy Read application form: https://form.jotform.com/260614854221351
More information: https://wecil.org.uk/contact/work-for-wecil/
We will also accept video applications sent to: jobs@wecil.org.uk

The deadline for applications is 9am on Thursday 19 March 2026, with interviews expected to take place in the week commencing 30 March 2026. If you would like to discuss access needs, please contact our recruitment team:
jobs@wecil.co.uk | 0117 947 9911

Support young people, build confidence, and make a difference! As a sessional worker with WECIL, you’ll take part in eve...
11/03/2026

Support young people, build confidence, and make a difference! As a sessional worker with WECIL, you’ll take part in evening and weekend sessions with children and young people, joining in fun and engaging play and youth activities.

These sessions are designed to build social skills, confidence and positive relationships, helping young people connect and thrive. You will work in a variety of youth and play settings, including supporting children with complex needs and behaviours. You will never be placed in a session where you feel uncomfortable or unequipped to provide support.

Join a supportive, inclusive team and help create positive experiences for Disabled children and young people in your community.Find out more about working with WECIL: https://wecil.org.uk/contact/sessional-work/

The next ILP Community Gathering takes place this Thursday, 12th of March, from 10am to 2pm at the Vassall Centre in Bri...
10/03/2026

The next ILP Community Gathering takes place this Thursday, 12th of March, from 10am to 2pm at the Vassall Centre in Bristol. This free event is a welcoming space for Disabled people, allies and professionals to come together, share experiences and explore different ways of managing Direct Payments.

Expect short talks, stalls, table discussions and time to connect with others. Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided, with vegan and vegetarian options available.

Spaces are limited, so please book your free ticket in advance from: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wecil-independent-living-payments-community-gathering-12th-march-2026-tickets-1981999144796

We look forward to welcoming you! For access support please contact: dpsupport@wecil.org.uk

Hate crime and discrimination have a real impact on Disabled people’s lives. For Black, Brown and Racially Minoritised D...
09/03/2026

Hate crime and discrimination have a real impact on Disabled people’s lives. For Black, Brown and Racially Minoritised Disabled people, those experiences are often shaped by racism as well as disablism. Spaces to speak openly and safely matter.

Join us for 'Hate Crime and Discrimination: Black, Brown and Racially Minoritised Disabled People Experiences' on Tuesday the 10th of March from 11am to 1pm at Kilburn Hall, Easton Community Centre, Bristol.

This workshop invites Black, Brown and Racially Minoritised Disabled people to share their experiences of hate crime and discrimination in Bristol. Delivered by BDEF and SARI, the session will help shape WECIL’s new Disability Hate Crime Service launching in 2026.

For more information, contact BDEF at info@bristoldef.org.uk, call 0117 914 0528, or sign up for tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/hate-crime-and-discrimination-racially-minoritised-disabled-people-experiences-bdef-and-sari-collaboration

Sunday was International Women’s Day! An opportunity to celebrate the leadership and lived experience of Disabled women,...
09/03/2026

Sunday was International Women’s Day! An opportunity to celebrate the leadership and lived experience of Disabled women, and to challenge the barriers they face.

Disabled women continue to experience inequality across employment, healthcare, education and community life. Sunday was a reminder that disability equality must always be intersectional, recognising the power, expertise and influence Disabled women bring to every space.

Find out more: internationalwomensday.com

Accessible outdoor play matters - and there are some brilliant spaces locally that are getting it right!Across South Glo...
05/03/2026

Accessible outdoor play matters - and there are some brilliant spaces locally that are getting it right!

Across South Gloucestershire, Bristol and BANES, our Community Breaks team regularly visit sites including Kingsgate Park, St George Park, Victoria Park in Bath, Felix Road Adventure Playground and Oldbury Court Estate.

From accessible see-saws and sensory chimes to inclusive wheelchair-designed play units, step-free routes and wide, open paths, these spaces show what’s possible when accessibility is embedded. Outdoor play remains an essential part of all children and young people’s lives. It’s vital that local authorities and charities continue to build and manage parks with everyone in mind.

In our latest blog, we explore these spaces and share practical insights from our Community Breaks team. Read more here: https://wecil.org.uk/play-without-barriers/

Meet Jessie, our Participation Coordinator for People’s Voice. Jessie brings a strong background in occupational therapy...
04/03/2026

Meet Jessie, our Participation Coordinator for People’s Voice. Jessie brings a strong background in occupational therapy, giving her a deep understanding of how the right support and environment can help people thrive.

Before joining WECIL, she also ran pubs and restaurants, experiences that shaped her belief in community, teamwork and listening to people’s stories. “I am passionate about disability rights and making sure that people are listened to and involved in the decisions that affect them.”

Outside of work, Jessie enjoys cross stitching, pub quizzes, and spending time in Bristol’s community spaces like the M Shed and the city farms. She’s also a big reader and loves graphic novels. We’re proud to have Jessie as part of the team!

Find out more about People’s Voice here: https://wecil.org.uk/our-community/peoples-voice/

Access Ava is a free online tool offering legal support to people who use health or social care services. Developed in p...
04/03/2026

Access Ava is a free online tool offering legal support to people who use health or social care services. Developed in partnership with Access Social Care, Ava provides easy-to-understand information verified by lawyers, along with template letters and practical guidance to help you understand your rights.

If you disagree with a decision about your or your loved one’s support, Ava can help you challenge it using a person-centred approach that puts you in control.

Access the tools and information you need to advocate for your rights by clicking the purple icon at the bottom right of our legal support page here: https://wecil.org.uk/direct-payment-payroll/legal-support/

Outdoor play should be for everyone, but barriers still exist. Disabled children, young people and their families can fa...
02/03/2026

Outdoor play should be for everyone, but barriers still exist. Disabled children, young people and their families can face real challenges when accessing parks and playgrounds.

Crowds and noise can be overwhelming for neurodivergent children, especially during busy periods. Many playgrounds still lack wheelchair accessible equipment such as swings, roundabouts, ramps and accessible toilets. Sharing spaces with other children can also be challenging, and accessible outdoor areas are not always close to home, making travel costly or difficult.

In our latest blog, we explore these barriers and share practical insights from our Community Breaks team. Read more here: https://wecil.org.uk/play-without-barriers/

A Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) is an organisation led by Disabled people, for Disabled people. That means lived ...
27/02/2026

A Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) is an organisation led by Disabled people, for Disabled people. That means lived experience sits at the heart of decision-making. It means services are shaped by the people who use them. And it means disability equality is not just something we talk about, it is something we practice.

At WECIL, being a DPO shapes how we deliver Direct Payments support. We understand the importance of choice and control because many of us are Direct Payments users ourselves. We know the system, the challenges and the possibilities.

Find out more about our Direct Payments support here: https://wecil.org.uk/direct-payment-payroll/

Listening Partnership (LP) is a space for Disabled young people aged 13–25 to build confidence, connect with others and ...
26/02/2026

Listening Partnership (LP) is a space for Disabled young people aged 13–25 to build confidence, connect with others and be heard. It is where real conversations happen about rights, identity, mental health, and community.

We recently went through a rebrand! Our new identity reflects who we are: bold, inclusive, creative and serious about making an impact. Shaped through co-production with members, this next chapter is about visibility, voice and influence.

LP is not just a group, it is a platform for change. From working with the local council to collaborating with community organisations, the young people at LP are shaping the world around them.

Find out more and get involved: https://wecil.org.uk/children-young-people/out-about-bristol/youth/

Address

The Vassall Centre
Bristol
BS162QQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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