Navigating Diversity and Belonging

Recent data released as part the 2025 Loneliness Awareness week found that 2 in 5 young people (15-25 years old) experience loneliness.[1] For those living with disability and or people who are neurodivergent, that sense of isolation only increases. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing’s 2024 report, people with disability were twice as likely to experience f social isolation to that of the overall population.[2]

I think this highlights the real challenge of creating spaces of both belonging and diversity especially for our neurodiverse students. On the one hand it seems that belonging to the wider community means giving up or masking parts of yourself to fit in. On the other hand, the emphasis on diversity enables belonging by splitting the wider community into smaller groups according to different labels and preference. Instead of falling into either of these errors I want to suggest that our Anglican identity gives us a robust framework to help us better navigate this tension between diversity and belonging. Here are three truths that stand out.

1 Every Person is made in the image of God.

Our common humanity is set by God and part of our very being. It is not linked to either a specific ability that we have or a role that we perform. If it was then this this would mean that the image of God could be lost or that some people never had it in the first place. The good news is that as humans, we bear God’s image wherever we are present.

2 Our unity and diversity reflect God’s character.

Because we are made in God’s image and not Adam and Eve’s or some other human, we also reflect God’s character. God is one and three, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. There is unity and diversity. The unity doesn’t destroy diversity. Nor does the diversity destroy unity. It’s a reminder that there is no perfect body type. There is no perfect look. There is no required set of abilities. Young, old, male, female, whatever background, skin colour, or ability. It is as we gather together that we reflect the fullness of God’s character.

3 God’s love reveals our true value.

Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension show us our true worth and value (Ephesians 1:3-14). It reminds us that in Jesus we are loved, forgiven and unified. That he has made and gifted all of us with different, skills, experiences and abilities. Together we are enriched in our understanding of God and the body of Christ.

So what might this look like in our chaplaincy settings?

It looks like creating spaces that:

• Value presence and over productivity – a place where participation of all students regardless of skill level or ability is encouraged and supported.
• Encourage curiosity and honest questioning – a place where students and staff can explore and investigate their views and beliefs without fear.
• Equips people to grow in good and godly character – not just knowledge or achievement.
• Moves beyond labels to seek the common good.
• Cultivates a prayerful dependence on God which underpins everything else that we do.

As chaplains, I believe this is where we’re called to lead — not by doing more, but by being present; not by having all the answers, but by creating spaces where demonstrating God’s love makes belonging possible. This is not an easy task. It asks for patience, humility, and a deep trust that God is already at work in the lives of those we serve.

[1] Loneliness Awareness Week Australia. 2025. July 8. https://lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au/.

[2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2025. “Social Isolation and Loneliness – Mental Health.” May 20. https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/health-wellbeing/social-isolation-and-loneliness.