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

There’s still time to get involved in - As part of their Christmas 2025 campaign, Dunelm Bristol Brislington (BS4 3DS)...
27/10/2025

There’s still time to get involved in - As part of their Christmas 2025 campaign, Dunelm Bristol Brislington (BS4 3DS) is supporting WECIL’s Children and Young People’s service.

Until the 14th of November, you can visit the store, take a tag from their Christmas tree and buy a present for one of our young people. Thanks to everyone who’s taken part so far!

Creating a green and accessible future! WECIL is proud to support the launch of a new initiative from Bristol Climate & ...
22/10/2025

Creating a green and accessible future! WECIL is proud to support the launch of a new initiative from Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership that puts Disabled people at the heart of local climate and nature action.

Through their Climate and Disability programme, the Partnership has been working directly with Disabled people to ensure that Bristol’s climate response is inclusive and accessible. They recently launched of a new set of resources developed to support others across the UK to do the same in their communities.

By centering Disabled people in this work, the programme is showing how inclusive climate action benefits us all. This collaboration has included Sensing Climate at the University of Exeter, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, Sustrans, Ruth Nortey, Sarah Bell and Emma Geen — with lived experience and co-production embedded throughout.

Find out more here: https://bristolclimatenature.org/news/creating-a-green-and-accessible-future/

Image credit: EvokePictures

WECIL provides opportunities for young people to build experience, confidence and skills within inclusive, values-led or...
21/10/2025

WECIL provides opportunities for young people to build experience, confidence and skills within inclusive, values-led organisations. Partnering with UWE’s Social Work degree course, Millie and Isaac will be joining our Independent Living Payments (ILP) Team for a 12-week placement as part of their studies.

The ILP Team works with Disabled people across the region to support independence, choice and control. Placements like this offer students a chance to gain real-world experience of inclusive, person-led support.

We’re excited to welcome Millie and Isaac into the team and support the next generation of social workers to embed the Social Model of Disability in their practice from the very start.

With Access All Areas just over two weeks away, we’re excited to share one of the amazing raffle prizes up for grabs at ...
21/10/2025

With Access All Areas just over two weeks away, we’re excited to share one of the amazing raffle prizes up for grabs at the event, WECIL’s 30th anniversary celebration!

Thanks to the generous support of Orchard Sauna, one lucky winner will receive a private sauna session worth £100 to enjoy their beautiful outdoor sauna and cold plunge experience, located at Windmill Hill City Farm in central Bristol.

Launched in 2024, Orchard Sauna set out to bring the benefits of outdoor sauna culture to the city - and the response from the local community has been incredible. Now, they’re expanding with a focus on accessibility: their new sauna space (coming December 2025) will include step-free sauna and plunge access, bigger changing rooms, and accessible toilets.

Orchard Sauna is open 7 days a week through the winter and is working closely with WECIL to make sure their new facilities welcome everyone. We're thrilled to have them as part of this event and grateful for their support in creating inclusive wellbeing spaces.

You can join us at Access All Areas on the 4th of November at We the Curious in Bristol to celebrate our journey so far and look ahead to the future:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wecil-presents-access-all-areas-wecils-30th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-1604781688229

Delivering Joy with Dunelm - We’re thrilled that WECIL’s Children & Young People’s team has been chosen to take part in ...
16/10/2025

Delivering Joy with Dunelm - We’re thrilled that WECIL’s Children & Young People’s team has been chosen to take part in Dunelm UK’s Delivering Joy campaign!

From now until 14th November, you can visit the Bristol Brislington Dunelm store (BS4 3DS) where you can take tags from the in-store Christmas tree and buy a present for one of our young people.

This is a simple way to show support for local Disabled children and young people during the festive season.

October is ADHD Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is “The Many Faces of ADHD” — a reminder that ADHD doesn’t look o...
15/10/2025

October is ADHD Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is “The Many Faces of ADHD” — a reminder that ADHD doesn’t look one way, and that everyone’s experience is valid.

The global awareness campaign is all about sharing reliable information and real-life experiences, so more people can understand ADHD and challenge the barriers Disabled people face. The goal is simple: better awareness, less stigma, and more support that reflects the reality of our lives.

You can get involved by sharing your creativity and your story - whether that’s a video, a piece of art, a short story or even a meme. This is a great opportunity to challenge assumptions and highlight the diversity of the ADHD community.

Visit the ADHD Awareness Month website for more info about how to take part: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/

Members of WECIL’s People’s Voice team will be attending this year’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week flag raising eve...
14/10/2025

Members of WECIL’s People’s Voice team will be attending this year’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week flag raising event this afternoon, and we'd love everyone in our community to join us in solidarity.

Hosted by Bristol Hate Crime & Discrimination Service, this event will raise awareness of disablist hate and stand up to all forms of discrimination. It’s a chance to hear from local voices, mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week, and show support for those affected by hate and prejudice.

Date: Monday 14th October, 1–2pm
Location: College Green, Bristol

The event includes speeches, performances, and the raising of the NHCAW flag. Disablist hate crime continues to be under-reported and often goes unchallenged. Visibility matters, so join us to take a stand.

Good mental health is important for everyone. World Mental Health Day highlights the need to prioritise and invest in it...
10/10/2025

Good mental health is important for everyone. World Mental Health Day highlights the need to prioritise and invest in it across our communities.

Poor mental health is not inevitable. This day is an opportunity for us all to reflect on how, together, we can support better mental health and wellbeing. This year’s theme, from the Mental Health Foundation, is “Overwhelm: when global events and relentless bad news become too much.” The focus is on the impact of repeated exposure to crises and conflicts, and how this can affect our wellbeing.

The world is going through a tough time right now, and even if you’re not directly affected by events, it can still feel like a lot to cope with. It’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you, or anyone else, is going through.

To learn more about World Mental Health Day and this year’s theme, visit the Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

At WECIL, our Independent Living team plays a vital role in supporting Disabled people to live with choice and control. ...
09/10/2025

At WECIL, our Independent Living team plays a vital role in supporting Disabled people to live with choice and control. This week, we’re pleased to introduce Kristy, one of the fantastic people behind our payroll service.

“Hi, my name is Kristy and I am a Specialist Payroll Advisor within the Independent Living team here at WECIL. I joined WECIL in June 2019 and I have really enjoyed my time here supporting our clients. I have a Disabled son so can bring my own experience to the role. When not at work I enjoy visiting all the wonderful sites of Bristol with my children, and trying many different coffee spots!”

We’re proud to have Kristy as part of , bringing both professional skill and lived experience to her work every day.

WECIL’s People’s Voice team will be attending the Festival of Friendship at the Greenway Centre in Southmead this weeken...
08/10/2025

WECIL’s People’s Voice team will be attending the Festival of Friendship at the Greenway Centre in Southmead this weekend, and we’d love to see you there.

Date: Saturday 11th October, 11am – 3pm
Location: Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5PY

This inclusive, free event is being hosted by our partners SENDaWelcome and My Community Bristol and is open to everyone. It’s a celebration of friendship and community, with plenty of opportunities to meet new people, connect with local organisations, and take part in fun activities throughout the day.

There will be music, arts and crafts, games, workshops, and taster sessions, plus refreshments and information stalls from local groups who support people with learning disabilities. It’s a great chance to meet others, try something new and be part of a welcoming, inclusive community event.

The Greenway Centre is fully accessible. If you have specific access needs or want to book tickets, visit southmead.org/all-news or contact: Ella on 07386 493 801 or ella.sendawelcome@gmail.com

Image credit: Southmead Development Trust

It’s Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025 (6–12 October), and this year’s theme is Raise the Volume! Led by the British Dyslexia...
07/10/2025

It’s Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025 (6–12 October), and this year’s theme is Raise the Volume! Led by the British Dyslexia Association, the week will focus on the voices of young people with dyslexia – their stories, challenges and successes. The aim is to make sure their experiences are heard loud and clear in schools, families, workplaces and beyond.

As part of the campaign, the BDA will launch their new report ‘Set up for somebody else’: Young people with dyslexia in the education system, based on the views of 500 young people. The findings highlight both the challenges and the positives of growing up with dyslexia, as well as priorities for future change.

There’s also exciting collaboration with Jamie Oliver’s team on the next phase of The Dyslexia Revolution, plus stories from 18–30-year-olds with dyslexia, interactive resources for schools and workplaces, virtual events, and a Talk Dyslexia session with Juliet Campbell MP.

WECIL join the call for better support and real change. Find out more about Dyslexia Awareness Week 2025 via the British Dyslexia Association website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/support-us/awareness-events

WECIL is exhibiting at the 3SG Volunteer Fair in Bath this October - a day celebrating and promoting local volunteering ...
06/10/2025

WECIL is exhibiting at the 3SG Volunteer Fair in Bath this October - a day celebrating and promoting local volunteering in Bath & North East Somerset.

Date: Friday 17 October
Time: 11:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Apex Hotel Conference Centre, Charles Street, Bath BA1 2DA

If you've ever considered volunteering but you're not sure where to start, or you're already a volunteer looking for something new, this event is for you. Drop in anytime between 11am and 3pm to explore 40+ charity stalls showcasing a wide range of opportunities.

You’ll discover the amazing work of local charities and learn how to get involved. There are opportunities to suit all schedules, skills and preferences, and volunteering is a great way to feel connected to your community while gaining valuable experiences.

Come and meet the WECIL team, find out about our work, and explore how you can get involved.

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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