WECIL announced as Climate & Disability programme partner
Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership is pleased to announce a new collaboration with West of England Centre for Inclusive Living (WECIL) to deliver the next phase of the Climate & Disability programme as part of the Community Climate & Nature Action Project.
Disabled people are one of the groups that will be hurt most by climate change and the loss of nature, but they have historically been left out of action and planning. This has not only led to climate work making new barriers for Disabled people but has meant the climate movement has missed out on the expertise and ideas that Disabled people can bring. The Climate & Disability programme responds to this challenge.
WECIL has significant experience of engaging Disabled people through trusted relationships, accessible communication and co-production, rooted in the Social Model of Disability and the lived experience of Disabled people. This 1.5-year project (starting in October 2026), will enable WECIL to create focused opportunities for Disabled people in BANES, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to help shape community-led climate and nature action in the West of England region.
“Our approach recognises that climate and nature action can unintentionally create new barriers for Disabled people if it is not designed inclusively. This programme is therefore an important opportunity to ensure Disabled people shape priorities, influence systems and help create climate responses that improve lives rather than increase inequality.”
Alex Johnston, Head of Commercial and Social Enterprise, WECIL
WECIL’s role on the next phase of the Climate & Disability programme will be to:
- Deliver engagement with members of the Disabled community across the West of England region (Bristol, BANES, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset)
- Evolve the existing Bristol-focused community climate and nature action plan to include perspectives and priorities from the community of Disabled people living and working in wider region
- Champion the priorities within the existing community climate and nature action plan for Bristol’s community of Disabled people
- Contribute to the holistic Community Climate & Nature Action Project.
“I’m delighted that WECIL will be building on the work of the Climate & Disability forum in Bristol to advocate for the community of Disabled people in the West of England. I will be advising and supporting WECIL in my role as Advocate to ensure the knowledge developed in the last stages of the project is carried over.”
Emma Geen, Climate & Disability Advocate
Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership has coordinated the Climate and Disability programme, in collaboration with Climate & Disability Associate Emma Geen, since 2024, building on earlier work by Bristol Disability Equality Forum to develop the world’s first community climate action plan made by and for Disabled people.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with WECIL on this next phase of the Climate & Disability programme. It’s so important this work is convened by a Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) that has trusted connections with the Disabled community across the West of England region.”
Amy Harrison, Head of Community Partnerships, Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership
To get in touch with WECIL directly about this work, please contact Anthony Hearn at Anthony.Hearn@wecil.org.uk or call them on 0117 947 9911.
Share to
