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

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s been part of WECIL’s journey this year ...
23/12/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s been part of WECIL’s journey this year - our members, staff, volunteers, partners and the wider Disabled community.

Together, we’ve supported over 900 people with Independent Living Payments and Payroll, delivered 800+ Short Breaks sessions, and run more than 100 Disability Equality training events, all led by and for Disabled people.

97% of people reported better access to advice, 99% said their access needs were met, and 94% felt more in control. WECIL’s impact is only possible because of you. Thank you for standing with us, we’re excited to keep building a more inclusive society in 2026 and beyond.

Our offices will close from midday on Wednesday the 24th December and reopen at 9am on Monday the 5th of January. If you have a social care emergency during this time, please contact the local authority Emergency Duty Team on 01454 615165 or text 60066 if you are Deaf or hard of hearing.

We’re hiring a South Gloucestershire Short Breaks Coordinator. If you're passionate about inclusive, child-led services ...
19/12/2025

We’re hiring a South Gloucestershire Short Breaks Coordinator. If you're passionate about inclusive, child-led services and want to make a real difference to the lives of Disabled children and families in South Gloucestershire, this could be the role for you.

Hybrid | 18 hours/week | £29,206 pro rata (£14,019 actual)
Fixed-term (4 months) | Deadline: 9am, Weds 7 Jan 2026

We’re looking for a compassionate and organised Short Breaks Coordinator to support the delivery of high-quality, meaningful activities for Disabled children and young people aged 2–18. You’ll help plan and deliver sessions, support sessional staff, and build trusted relationships with families — all while championing the Social Model of Disability and strong safeguarding practice.

Application packs are available in accessible formats. Find out more and apply here: https://wecil.org.uk/contact/work-for-wecil-2025/

WECIL is proud to partner with Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership (BCNP) on the Climate and Disability programme, whic...
19/12/2025

WECIL is proud to partner with Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership (BCNP) on the Climate and Disability programme, which centres Disabled people in local responses to the climate and ecological emergency.

In a powerful new podcast series, Climate Justice in Action, Ruth Nortey speaks with climate activists and sector leaders about how we can build a greener and fairer future. As a Black Disabled woman, Ruth explores how Disabled people can be centred in climate solutions.

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

Image credit: Ruth Hannell

Researchers from Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and Northumbria University are inviting Disabled adults with a neuro...
17/12/2025

Researchers from Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and Northumbria University are inviting Disabled adults with a neuromuscular condition diagnosed in childhood, and unpaid carers, to take part in a new project exploring how to improve social care.

This is a chance to share your experiences through interviews and workshops taking place in 2025 and 2026. Those involved will be paid for their time and help shape practical solutions based on real-life experiences.

If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, contact Sam at sam@pathfindersalliance.org.uk
or George at george.peat@northumbria.ac.uk to find out more.

This year, WECIL delivered 809 Short Breaks sessions across Bristol, B&NES, and South Gloucestershire, creating safe and...
16/12/2025

This year, WECIL delivered 809 Short Breaks sessions across Bristol, B&NES, and South Gloucestershire, creating safe and accessible spaces where Disabled children and young people could play, connect and just be themselves.

Short Breaks offer children and young people an opportunity to have fun and make friends. They’re also an important way to support families, reduce isolation, and provide to access inclusive activities.

Learn more here: https://wecil.org.uk/children-young-people/

We believe getting around Bristol should be fair and accessible for everyone. That’s why we’re celebrating the city’s ne...
12/12/2025

We believe getting around Bristol should be fair and accessible for everyone. That’s why we’re celebrating the city’s new Inclusive Transport Vision, launched in 2024 as part of the Community Climate Action Project.

The Vision reflects priorities from Bristol’s first community climate action plans and has been shaped by people often left out of transport decision-making; including Disabled people, refugees, migrants and residents from underserved parts of the city.

Developed in partnership with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) and led by Inclusive Transport Advocate Florence Grieve, the project now includes a practical toolkit to help people drive change in their own neighbourhoods.

You can download the toolkit, Realising Our Inclusive Transport Vision, in multiple formats here: https://bristolclimatenature.org/news/creating-a-green-and-accessible-future/

The energy and excitement from the recent Winter Ignite Festival is still with us. The event brought together a truly di...
10/12/2025

The energy and excitement from the recent Winter Ignite Festival is still with us. The event brought together a truly diverse community of Disabled children and young people, their families, and inclusive sports providers – all sharing a space designed to be fun, welcoming and accessible for everyone.

At WECIL, we’re always working to break down barriers and make sure Disabled children and young people can take part, speak up and live their best life. Thank you again to everyone who came, got involved, and made the day so positive!

What was your favourite moment on the day?

Photography: Wil Paterson, WP Creative

Last Friday (5/12) was International Volunteer Day. The theme this year, 'Every contribution matters', is a powerful rem...
09/12/2025

Last Friday (5/12) was International Volunteer Day. The theme this year, 'Every contribution matters', is a powerful reminder that small acts people take every day can drive big change, especially when it comes to inclusion and equality.

That couldn’t be more true of the incredible volunteers who support WECIL and our members. From supporting Disabled children and young people, to helping people navigate the care system, to running peer-led groups across our region, your impact is felt every single day.

Volunteering helps to build stronger communities and bridge the gap between generations. So to all of WECIL’s volunteers, and everyone giving their time in Bristol, South Glos, BANES and North Somerset, thank you!

To find out more about volunteering at WECIL, visit: https://wecil.org.uk/volunteering/

We're proud to share a important message from our partners at the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership (BCNP). Disabled ...
04/12/2025

We're proud to share a important message from our partners at the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership (BCNP). Disabled people are too often excluded from climate action, despite being disproportionately affected by climate breakdown. This must change.

BCNP has recently published a guide titled Coproducing a Community Climate Action Plan. It builds on the UK’s first Community Climate Action Plan designed by and for Disabled people. This guide is intended to support Disabled people and organisations outside Bristol to create their own locally‑led climate action plans.

In partnership with the Sensing Climate project at the University of Exeter, BCNP have crafted this accessible, practical resource so that inclusive climate justice becomes a reality. At WECIL we believe climate justice must also include disability justice.

Accessible formats of the guide are available here: https://bristolclimatenature.org/news/creating-a-green-and-accessible-future/

Image credit: ShamPhat Photography

On Saturday the 22nd of November, WECIL was proud to support the fantastic Winter Ignite Festival at Clifton College Spo...
03/12/2025

On Saturday the 22nd of November, WECIL was proud to support the fantastic Winter Ignite Festival at Clifton College Sports Ground in Bristol. What a day it was!

The festival brought together Disabled children, young people and their families from across the region to try out a wide range of accessible sports - from climbing, wrestling and tennis to wheelchair football, basketball and more. It was an action-packed day full of energy, fun and community spirit.

WECIL provided a quiet, calm space for anyone who needed a break from all the excitement. Creating safe, welcoming environments for all young people is central to what we do, and it was great to see so many people make use of the space.

Massive thanks to the amazing Ignite team and everyone who attended for making the day such a success.

Stay tuned for more photos soon and make sure to follow the Access Sport socials for information on future events: instagram.com/access_sportuk

Photography: Wil Paterson, WP Creative

Creating a green and accessible future! WECIL is proud to support a new initiative from Bristol Climate & Nature Partner...
02/12/2025

Creating a green and accessible future! WECIL is proud to support 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 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

Join us on the 6th of December at the M-Shed in Bristol for a powerful celebration of Disabled leadership. On this Inter...
02/12/2025

Join us on the 6th of December at the M-Shed in Bristol for a powerful celebration of Disabled leadership. On this International Day of Disabled People, come together with Bristol’s Disabled community and allies for a full day of talks, workshops, performances and connection.

Hear from an incredible line-up of speakers including Briony May Williams, Yiska Ansell, Millie Flemington-Clare, Rowan James, Barrington Chambers, Ruth Pickersgill and Cllr Kelvin Blake. All hosted by Penny Germon.

From confidence-building workshops and allyship training, to grassroots protest and local leadership, the day is packed with opportunities to learn, reflect and take action. Access and inclusion are built into the day, including step-free access, accessible toilets, quiet space, and BSL interpreters on request.

Please book ahead for workshops and let organisers know your access needs: 0117 914 0528 / info@bristoldef.org.uk

Visit this link for workshop bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/host/bdef-bristol-disability-equality-forum-cio

Address

The Vassall Centre
Bristol
BS162QQ

Opening Hours

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

Website

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