Growing Hope Conversations – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. 

This week, we're joined by Dr. Léon Van Ommen, Co-director of the Centre for Autism and Theology at the University of Aberdeen. 

Léon highlights practical and theologically rooted ways to support neurodivergent individuals within worship and church life. He explains how 'normal church habits' might be exhausting for some neurodiverse people, and two simple steps churches can take to overcome that.

This is a podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

00:00 Introduction to the podcast

00:19 Introduction to Autism and Theology

06:13 Understanding Autism's Influence on Faith 09:20 Challenges for Church Leaders in Inclusion

12:24 Theological Values for Inclusion

15:09 Creating a Welcoming Church Environment

18:09 The Role of Community in Belonging 20:51 Practical Steps for Understanding and Inclusion

23:53 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

38:36 Introduction to Accessibility in Churches

Get involved:

Listen to the Autism and Theology Podcast

Book your place at the Faith on the Margins: Engaging with Nonspeaking and Black Autistic Christians Conference from 5th-7th November 2025.

Sign up to the quarterly newsletter and occasional calls for research participants

Buy a copy of Léon's book Autism and Worship, by Dr Léon Van Ommen

Neurodiversity and Faith Series booklets

Centre for Autism and Theology Webinars

Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. The podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families.

Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

In this episode, we're joined by Sophie Killingley, a freelance illustrator and writer. Sophie shares her family’s journey through multiple autism diagnoses. She describes the joys and struggles of being a SEND family - and a pastor's family - within a church community.

Sophie is married to Pete and has two neurodivergent teens and a cat called Major Tom. She is passionate about the intersection of faith and creativity and breaking down the sacred/secular divide to explore the world as it is, and freeing others to do the same. Her work and cartooning are quirky offerings of humour and heart from her perspectives on mental health, Christian culture, and the daily realities of having a neurodivergent family.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Growing Hope Podcast

00:19 Navigating Neurodivergence: A Personal Journey

08:12 Experiences in the Church: Support and Challenges

14:04 The Impact of Autism on Family and Faith

18:01 Creating a New Ministry Through Art and Writing

25:10 Empowering Children with Additional Needs

30:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

38:03 Accessibility Training for Churches

Get involved:

• Visit Sophie’s website
• Sign up to Sophie’s mailing list 
• Podcast: Triptych Conversations Podcast 
• Follow Sophie's Substack
• Look out for Sophie's new book coming in 2026: Blessed are the Neurodivergent
• Join the monthly Growing Hope newsletter

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.6 Nicola Watson & Additional Needs and Isolation // This week our hosts talk to Nicola Watson who is the Additional Needs Co-ordinator for Care for the Family. Nicola also has 3 children of her own, one of whom has global developmental delay. In this episode Nicola shares her advice as a professional, working with families who have children with medical, additional and mental health needs, and as a parent. Nicola highlights the importance of asking for help if you are experiencing challenges and isolation. If this episode resonated with you because you are feeling alone in your situation then please get in touch. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear Nicola's fantastic idea for helping adults with additional needs build friendships, improve their self-esteem and become more of a part of society through work.

Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.5 Adeola Aremu & Parenting a child with Autism // Welcome to this week's conversation! Our hosts Naomi and Mark are joined by Adeola Aremu who shares her personal story of caring for her son who has autism whilst also single-handedly raising 3 other children. Adeola's incredible story will encourage those facing similar challenges. It’s also a great episode if you would like to understand more about the joys and challenges of raising a child with additional needs.

Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (link in bio) #WelcomeToTheConversation

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.4 Paul and Becky Harcourt & Disability and Leadership // Our hosts Naomi and Mark are joined by Paul and Becky Harcourt - national leaders of New Wine England and All Saints' Woodford Wells in London. They talk about their experience of working in public-facing leadership roles whilst also raising children who have additional needs. This juggling act of balancing work and family life is one many parents experience and there is some great advice in this episode.

Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (link in bio) #WelcomeToTheConversation

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.3 Emily Thompson - My Life with Down's Syndrome // Welcome to this week's conversation! Naomi and Mark are joined by Emily and her mum Cheralyn. Emily talks about what her life looks like, the activities she takes part in, her personal faith and her aspirations to become a mermaid.

Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (link in bio) #WelcomeToTheConversation

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.2 John Williams - Disability in Schools // This week Naomi and Mark talk to John Williams about growing up with cerebral palsy. John also talks about his work as a Chaplain in a secondary school in Wigan.

Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.1 Emily Owen - Living with NF2 // Join our hosts Mark Arnold and Naomi Graham as they talk to author and public speaker Emily Owen about her experience of living with NF2 - a genetic condition that causes tumours to grow along your nerves.

Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation

www.growinghope.org.uk

This conversational podcast is based on an interview with Occupational Therapist Naomi Graham, Lead Therapist of Growing Hope King's Cross. She gives practical tips, strategies and insights into Occupational Therapy for children with additional needs and their families, and the journey of therapy in Growing Hope.

This podcast interviews Speech and Language Therapist Aimee Hobbs, exploring language delays and disorders and giving practical tips, strategies and insights into Speech and Language Therapy for children with additional needs and their families.