Living the Lantern
The Cathedral’s partnership with Speaking Up Together stems from the Lantern Initiative, which provides practical support for visitors who face various challenges in their daily lives.
Find out moreOctober & November 2024 – Before planning your visit, please check our ‘Visitor Notices’ for accessibility updates and one-off changes to opening times. Click here to view.
DONATE
NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
A BEACON OF LIGHT
Learning about Stained Glass Windows with the Speaking Up Together group
Published September 2024
Speaking Up Together is a self-advocacy group run by and for adults with learning disabilities living in Gateshead and South Tyneside. The group began visiting the Cathedral in 2022.
Recently, the group has developed and led a series of workshops at the Cathedral designed for others with learning disabilities.
Ann is one of the group’s members and has written this article to share her personal experience.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund has supported this project. An exhibition showcasing the group’s work is scheduled for Easter 2025 at the Cathedral.
“My name is Ann Groundwater, and I am a member of Speaking Up Together. Our group got some funding from the Heritage Lottery to plan a history course about for adults with learning disabilities about Newcastle Cathedral I enjoyed working with Derek. Our session was about two stained glass windows in the Cathedral. I found out a lot of interesting things about William Wailes who designed one window. I enjoyed telling other people about this.”
Derek and the Danish Memorial Window
Ann and Derek next to the Chemist’s Window
“After our lesson, a stained-glass artist called Rita came to help us all make our own glass coasters, which looked like stained glass windows.
“The history course has been great fun. It helped people with a learning disability and showed what we can do when we get together to support each other. I love working with the people at the Cathedral. They make us feel very welcome and treat us as equals.”
A glass coaster
Derek and Ann showing off their lanyards
What is an Easy Read?
An Easy Read is a type of written content designed to be clear and accessible for all people. It uses simple, everyday words and short sentences and often includes pictures or symbols to help explain the text.
We will soon be publishing more Easy Read information sheets made by the Speaking Up Together group.