A local group for adults with additional needs that meets in the Countess Free Church in Ely – and its co-founder, Cate Allen – have been presented with a national award.

The Rich Tea Community (RTC) received the Luke 5 Award for disability inclusion from the Christian charity Through the Roof.

RTC, which was founded to overcome barriers and to create an accessible church in Ely, gathers once a month, on a Sunday, from 3.30–5pm.

There is often an engaging short talk including sensory objects and visual aids.

People can sit and watch or take part in the activities including social time, conversation, refreshments, craft, games, drama, music, sharing Bible passages, prayer and reflection and, four times a year, there is a simple communion meal.

The award was presented at RTC alongside parachute games, table tennis, craft and music.

Margaret Human, co-founder of the community, gave the certificate to Cate Allen and flowers were presented by Sarah Best, an RTC member from King's Lynn who discovered RTC through nominating her own church for a Luke 5 Award.

Margaret, who is from Ely and has additional needs herself, made the award nomination because she really enjoys RTC.

She said: “At Rich Tea, I lead prayers and do readings. I feel part of the church and like I really belong and am valued.

“We started the group to share about Jesus with people with learning disabilities and let them know God loves them and church is a welcoming place for them.”

Cate Allen, a newly qualified Baptist Minister and Roofbreaker church disability champion, said: “The need is huge, for reaching people who are often left out of church and society, yet have amazing gifts to offer.

“I believe a church without disabled people is an incomplete church. We have been running Rich Tea sessions for people in local care homes, as well as providing small-group faith-building sessions for current RTC members.”