WECIL (West of England Centre for Inclusive Living)

WECIL (West of England Centre for Inclusive Living) WECIL is a charity run by and for disabled people. We support over 4,000 people in Bristol & the surrounding area every year.

WECIL is a disabled people's user-led organisation (DPULO). We run a range of services which can support disabled people through different areas or at different times of their lives. Services include:

* Information, advice & advocacy
* A peer-support project
* Young people's services
* A volunteer programme
* Direct Payments support
services
* Employment support for individuals and businesses

For a full list of services go to our website - www.wecil.co.uk or call us on 0117 947 9911

You can also keep in touch on Twitter

Celebrate the Disabled community in Bristol! Join us on the 6th of December at M Shed for International Day of Disabled ...
20/11/2025

Celebrate the Disabled community in Bristol! Join us on the 6th of December at M Shed for International Day of Disabled People: A Bristol Celebration. This free and inclusive event will feature talks, creative performances, community workshops and a live Q&A with local Disabled leaders.

The day will include engaging workshops, performances from Disabled artists, campaign and community stalls, and opportunities to connect. The venue is fully accessible, with a quiet room available and BSL interpretation provided on request.

With event ambassadors including Briony May Williams, Millie Flemington-Clare, Rowan James and Ruth Pickersgill, this is a chance to hear directly from those leading change in our city.

The event runs from 10.30am to 4.00pm and is free to attend. Booking is recommended. To reserve your place or ask a question, email info@bristoldef.org.uk

20/11/2025

Happy Social Enterprise Day from all of us at WECIL! At WECIL, social enterprise isn’t just a business model - it’s how we put lived experience, community and social justice at the heart of what we do.

From Bees & Honey, our values-led payroll service, to Disability. Inc., our consultancy and training hub for inclusive practice - we reinvest profits into empowering Disabled people to live independently and without barriers. And through People’s Voice, we amplify the voices of people with learning differences, helping shape decisions, lead campaigns, and create a more inclusive Bristol.

We’re proud to be part of a movement that proves business can be bold, human, and driven by purpose.

Learn more about our work: www.wecil.org.uk

This year, WECIL’s Children & Young People’s Befriending service engaged 57 incredible volunteers across Bristol and Bat...
19/11/2025

This year, WECIL’s Children & Young People’s Befriending service engaged 57 incredible volunteers across Bristol and Bath & North East Somerset.

These trained volunteers provide meaningful 1:1 support to Disabled children and young people, helping to reduce isolation, build confidence, and create space for fun, independence and connection.

Whether it’s sharing a new activity or just being someone to talk to, the impact of our befrienders can’t be overstated - and neither can our gratitude for the time and care they give.

Find out about our work here: wecil.org.uk/children-young-people/

The Renters’ Rights Act is now law! After years of campaigning from renters, Disabled people, housing activists and alli...
18/11/2025

The Renters’ Rights Act is now law! After years of campaigning from renters, Disabled people, housing activists and allies, the Renters’ Rights Bill has finally become law - now known as the Renters’ Rights Act.

This marks a huge step towards a fairer system for the 11 million private renters in England. Once implemented, the Act will end ‘no fault’ evictions, tackle discrimination against renters receiving benefits or with children, and introduce long-overdue protections including a national landlord register and a cap on advance rent demands.

The new law will transform renting in England — but it’s not the end of the journey. Now we want to know what issue should be tackled next. For more information read here: https://england.shelter.org.uk/support_us/campaigns/renting/renters_rights_act

Image credit: shelter.org.uk

Our 2024/25 Impact Report has just landed, and this year marks a special milestone as we celebrate 30 years of WECIL. Th...
18/11/2025

Our 2024/25 Impact Report has just landed, and this year marks a special milestone as we celebrate 30 years of WECIL. This year's edition reflects not only on the past year’s achievements, but on three decades of work driven by Disabled people, focused on removing barriers and advocating for independent living.

From access consultancy and inclusive youth programmes, to Direct Payment support and policy influence, our work continues to grow. Thank you for being part of this journey.

We’ll be sharing key highlights over the coming months, the full digital version can be accessed here:https://wecil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/WECIL-Impact-Report-24.25-Digital-Tagged.pdf

It’s been a standout year for WECIL’s Children and Young People’s Services! In 2024–25, we continued to grow and strengt...
14/11/2025

It’s been a standout year for WECIL’s Children and Young People’s Services! In 2024–25, we continued to grow and strengthen our Short Breaks provision under the new leadership of Kate Walker, who stepped into the role of Head of Service in January.

The team’s focus on consistency, quality and family-led support is delivering real impact. Over the year, we ran 809 sessions across Bristol, B&NES and South Gloucestershire - providing an incredible 18,607 hours of meaningful engagement for Disabled children, young people and their families.

More highlights from our latest Impact Report coming soon…

What an incredible day! A heartfelt thank you again to everyone who helped make Access All Areas such a powerful and mea...
12/11/2025

What an incredible day! A heartfelt thank you again to everyone who helped make Access All Areas such a powerful and meaningful celebration of WECIL’s 30th anniversary.

From moving speeches and performances to new connections and memories - the energy at the event was special. We’re still smiling from the love and solidarity we felt on the day, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going.

Keep an eye on our website for more events and our community gatherings: wecil.org.uk

The Government has officially scrapped its long-promised white paper on disability benefits reform, but Disabled People’...
10/11/2025

The Government has officially scrapped its long-promised white paper on disability benefits reform, but Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) are warning that the fight isn’t over.

As reported by Disability News Service, ministers still plan to push forward individual cuts and reforms without the scrutiny of a single, transparent plan. While campaigners are calling the scrapping of the white paper a major win for activism, there are serious concerns about what might be introduced quietly and piecemeal in the months ahead.

DPOs ( continue to urge the Government to invest in real support, like Access to Work, rather than cutting the benefits Disabled people rely on to live and work independently.

Read the full report at Disability News Service here: https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/dwps-plans-in-tatters-as-mcfadden-scraps-white-paper-on-further-disability-cuts/

We’re incredibly proud of WECIL Direct Payment Support users Ally and Sally, who spoke with courage and honesty at the D...
06/11/2025

We’re incredibly proud of WECIL Direct Payment Support users Ally and Sally, who spoke with courage and honesty at the Direct Payments in a Changing World event in Exeter recently.

Their powerful contributions helped show what truly outstanding Direct Payment support looks like and why it matters. From the Department of Health and Social Care to councils across the South of England, we saw real impact as lived experience took centre stage.

A huge thank you to the event organisers and to our brilliant partners who joined us on the day: Penderels Trust, The Rowan, People Plus, Disability Focus, The Independent Living Group, and everyone involved in creating space for these important conversations.

Thank you! From everyone at WECIL, past and present. Access All Areas was a celebration of everything we stand for - com...
05/11/2025

Thank you! From everyone at WECIL, past and present. Access All Areas was a celebration of everything we stand for - community, connection, and a future where Disabled people live without barriers.

To everyone who joined us, supported us, performed, spoke, volunteered, or simply showed up in solidarity, thank you for making our 30th anniversary a day to remember. Here’s to another 30 years of challenging inequality and to everything we’re building together.

More photos and stories to follow... Watch this space.

We believe the best support comes from people who understand the difference it makes. That’s why we’re proud to introduc...
04/11/2025

We believe the best support comes from people who understand the difference it makes. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Tanwen, who brings their lived experience and passion to our Independent Living Payments (ILP) team.

Tanwen joined WECIL in September as part of a graduate internship with Bath Spa University. They are currently learning the ropes as an Independent Living Payments Advisor, supporting Disabled people to manage their Direct Payments with confidence and clarity.

As a neurodivergent person, Tanwen is deeply committed to WECIL’s mission and proud to be part of a team that works every day to remove barriers and champion independent living.

Outside of work, they love visiting aquariums and zoos — a reflection of the curiosity and calm they bring to their role. Welcome to the team, Tanwen!

Final call! Tickets are nearly gone for Access All Areas, WECIL’s 30th anniversary celebration, and you won’t want to mi...
03/11/2025

Final call! Tickets are nearly gone for Access All Areas, WECIL’s 30th anniversary celebration, and you won’t want to miss what we’ve got planned.

Alongside our Annual General Meeting (AGM), silent disco, activist corner and raffle, we’re thrilled to welcome Jenna Kearns, a Disabled Welsh singer-songwriter whose powerful music explores friendship, mental health, and medical trauma. With features on BBC Radio Wales and Dance Moms, and performances across South Wales, Jenna’s voice is one you’ll remember.

Tuesday 4th November | We The Curious, Bristol - The event is free, but booking is essential — it’s your last chance to join us as we celebrate three decades of Disability Equality and look ahead to what’s next.

Reserve your spot here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wecil-presents-access-all-areas-wecils-30th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-1604781688229

Address

The Vassall Centre
Bristol
BS162QQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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