Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. The podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families.

Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

In this episode, we're joined by Sophie Killingley, a freelance illustrator and writer. Sophie shares her family’s journey through multiple autism diagnoses. She describes the joys and struggles of being a SEND family - and a pastor's family - within a church community.

Sophie is married to Pete and has two neurodivergent teens and a cat called Major Tom. She is passionate about the intersection of faith and creativity and breaking down the sacred/secular divide to explore the world as it is, and freeing others to do the same. Her work and cartooning are quirky offerings of humour and heart from her perspectives on mental health, Christian culture, and the daily realities of having a neurodivergent family.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Growing Hope Podcast

00:19 Navigating Neurodivergence: A Personal Journey

08:12 Experiences in the Church: Support and Challenges

14:04 The Impact of Autism on Family and Faith

18:01 Creating a New Ministry Through Art and Writing

25:10 Empowering Children with Additional Needs

30:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

38:03 Accessibility Training for Churches

Get involved:

• Visit Sophie’s website


• Sign up to Sophie’s mailing list 


• Podcast: Triptych Conversations Podcast 


• Follow Sophie's Substack


• Look out for Sophie's new book coming in 2026: Blessed are the Neurodivergent


• Join the monthly Growing Hope newsletter