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Creating Belonging

Creating Opportunities for All

Our History

The development of ASNA was initiated by the birth of Matthew Nicholls born on the 21st May 1996 to Sophia and Nigel Nicholls. Matthew was born blind with severe learning and physical difficulties.Keen to raise the awareness of special needs to the national Adventist church community and the effects having a disability can have on the lives of those affected, Sophia and Nigel established the Adventist Special Needs Association.ASNA aims to raise awareness in churches and so enable church leaders and members to become more welcoming and understanding of the experience of their members with special needs. ASNA supports all churches requiring training and supports all people needing services including non Adventist. ASNA works to create places of belonging.

Nigel and Matthew.webp
Celebrating 20 Years in 2021 
#20&Counting
Five children smiling to camera
young people sitting by a table and drawing

We have organised volunteer training conferences, bringing leaders together to discuss ministry in this area .

 

Since December 2001, we have presented over 300 disability awareness training events and activities in the UK  to over 6,000 people. Activities have included workshops, seminars, conferences, training weekends, and training days. We have organised five annual family fun days to Thorpe Park, West Midlands Safari Park, Woburn Safari Park, Cotswold Safari Park, the seaside and a family picnic.

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Our family fun days, respite weekends and resources have had extensive reach to many families and individuals. We hosted our first ASNA Carers weekend in Autumn 2005. The Carers weekend provided much needed respite, physical, emotional and social support for the many carers who care for loved ones with limited support of care for themselves. Workshops included topics such as: 

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  • Managing and preventing the detrimental effects of stress for carers, (link to carers document)

  • Managing your finances: dealing with debt

  • Building strong relationships.

  • Also available at the weekend - countryside walks, heated swimming pool, gym and spa.

 

 

Please contact us for more information about any of the above.

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