[The Melbourne Anglican] A parish in the northwestern suburbs of Melbourne has seen a significant increase in members ahead of its plans to launch a specialized program for neurodiversity in 2025.
Sunday attendance at St. Aidan’s, Strathmore, grew on average from 20 to 40 people in two years, and many were neurodivergent or cared for neurodiverse family members. Its vicar, the Rev. Glen Wesley, believes their struggle to find a church they felt comfortable in was among the reasons many of the newcomers turned to St. Aidan’s.
Wesley, who is neurodivergent himself, said the church focused on offering services and an environment that made it easier for all people to participate, irrespective of their condition. He said this included having its long-term parishioners trained to recognize and communicate better with people who otherwise might be excluded because of their diverse needs.
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