Event 3: Developing neuro-inclusive workplaces

In this event we discussed hiring, adapting and developing neurodiverse talent in our organisations.

When: Wednesday 16 June at 1pm

Make a pledge

Guest speakers

This session raised awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace and inspired us to take steps to encourage neurodiverse job applicants, adapt for and support all employees to achieve their potential. What role can training and L&D play in helping employers drive innovation, productivity and talent retention by embracing different types of minds.

Be an advocate

Make a pledge and receive a digital credential

“I pledge to always have an open mind and ensure I am communicative with people I work with. I will ask questions to find out about them and their situation. I will always recognise that everyone has something positive to contribute and may struggle with different situations.”

“I pledge to be more considered in my approach to my team, colleagues and when recruiting with regards to neurodiversity. Being aware of individuals personal needs and ways of working, supporting them to be happy in their role and be the best they can be.”

“I pledge to be mindful and pay attention to individual needs and continue to educate myself and those around me on how best to work and empower people in a unique and meaningful ways.”

“I pledge to develop my understanding of neurodiversity and improve our education programmes and resources to ensure greater accessibility. I will champion a positive narrative to focus on strengths and successes.”

“I pledge to do my very best to make our workplace a diverse and inclusive place for everyone. I want to make some changes today, it can start with me, thinking about everyone as an individual not as having a ‘label’ attached to them, which is what can so easily happen, I do it to myself – we can start with the recruitment process and it will filter through every step of the employees journey with us. It’s all about the Culture!”

“I pledge to continue to respect, listen and learn from colleagues and to actively promote inclusion within learning and development so that our work speaks to a more diverse audience.”

“I pledge to look across our work and ensure that we are considering the ways in which those who are neurodiverse are able to contribute to and participate in our work, to learn more about neurodiversity and importantly, not to assume how an individual with neurodiversity may want to interact but to ask that person! Treating them as an individual.”

“I pledge to be mindful and pay attention to individual needs and continue to educate myself and those around me on how best to work and empower people in a unique and meaningful ways.”

“I pledge to continue to develop my understanding of neurodiversity and be more mindful towards colleagues, friends and family & work towards using their strengths.”

Different types of minds digital credential

We are no longer issuing digital credentials for this event, but please see our upcoming events, our Neurodiversity Index and our ReSET: Recognise Strengths Engagement Tool for other opportunities to pledge your support and earn a digital credential.

Guest speakers

Professor Amanda Kirby

Professor Amanda Kirby

CEO of Do-IT Solutions

 

Professor Amanda Kirby has an international reputation in the field of Neurodiversity. She is a trustee of the ADHD Foundation, works closely with the BDA, Dyspraxia Foundation and several Autism charities. She has written 8 books and more than 100 research papers in the field and is an emeritus professor at the University of South Wales and an honorary professor at Cardiff University. Her 9th book will be published in the Summer: ‘Neurodiversity at Work, Drive Innovation, Performance and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce’.

Her other previous books have been targeted at parents at all stages of parenting and educational professionals including https://www.amazon.co.uk/Succeed-Specific-Learning-Difficulties-University/dp/028564243X

She is importantly a parent of neurodivergent children, and grandchildren and a GP. Her personal experiences drove her to change career in order to understand more about neurodiversity for herself and her family.

She founded and ran a clinical and research team for 15 years relating to neurodiversity supporting 1000s of families and subsequently completed a PhD in emerging adulthood in neurodiversity.

She delivers the first UK accredited course on Neurodiversity in the Workplace and has developed the Neurodiversity Aware Standard with the ADHD Foundation.

She is the CEO of Do-IT Solutions, who are Disability Confident Leaders. Do-IT is an innovative tech for good company providing web-based screening and assessment tools relating to neurodiversity for all ages. She was chosen as one of the top 20 LinkedIn voices in the UK for 2020 and has one other international and national accolades including being voted nationally in the past as the UK GP of the Year.

   

Helen Needham

Helen Needham

Founder of Me.Decoded

 

Hi, my name is Helen Needham and I am autistic. I founded Me.Decoded in June 2018 because I am passionate about Neurodiversity and bringing about a change in the world where Neurodiversity is embraced by all.

I was diagnosed in July 2017 at the age of 41, three years after my son was diagnosed at the age of 5. We had no idea before he was diagnosed, and quickly entered into a new world that we were not prepared for. There were some difficult years as we battled against exclusion, but he is now in a school which is able to support him.

When my son was diagnosed, I feared for his future as I didn’t know what autism would mean for him and we were only told of the struggles he would face. We have been on a journey since then and have learnt so much. My biggest fear now is that he is limited by a world that is not willing to embrace and support him to become all that he could be.

My diagnosis has given me a new lens on my own life and has helped to explain many of the things that I have silently struggled with. It has empowered me to find a new way of working with those around me, and this has had a significant impact on my career.

When I first read about Neurodiversity, I was attracted by the viewpoint of being perceived as different not less. This is what I want for my son and I. I know that achieving Neurodiversity won’t be easy and there are many hurdles which will need to be overcome to achieve this. That said, I am determined to do what I can to positively encourage people to adopt the changes required to make it happen.

I work in financial services as a management consultant, and for a long time, I struggled with increasing social expectations without knowing why. At work, I have chosen to speak to others about my diagnosis, and I am establishing a new neurodiversity network. Through this, I have found other neurodivergent people willing to share their stories and help me to bring about a change in the workplace. This is still in its early stages, but I am hopeful that we will able to bring about the changes that we need to be successful at work.

Having seen the difference that talking out, with the right support and understanding, can have on bringing about big changes for the Neurodivergent, I now want to help drive bringing about that change on a wider scale.

   

Can training be a catalyst for driving inclusion and diversity in our organisations?

Join us for a month-long series of pop-up events offering thought-provoking conversations and actionable steps to promote equal opportunities and improve inclusion and diversity in your organisation.

Event 1: Race inclusion - supporting black talent

Inclusion and diversity event 1: Ethnic minorities

Explore the importance of role models and allies in breaking down barriers at work for all ethnic groups.

When: Wednesday 02 June at 1pm

Speakers:

  • Frank Douglas, CEO of Caerus Executive, City & Guilds Trustee, People Management D&I Power List 2020
  • Sophie Williams, anti-racism advocate and author of Anti-Racist Ally and Millennial Black
Find out more

Event 2: Marginalised groups - prison leavers

Inclusion and diversity event 2: ex-offenders

What can employers do to give people with criminal convictions fair chances to gain employment.

When: Tuesday 08 June at 11am

Speakers:

  • James Timpson OBE DL, Chief Executive of Timpson Group, Fellow of the City and Guilds of London Institute.
  • Surini Ranawake, Head of Employment Outcomes, New Futures Network
  • Claire Wood, Chief of Staff and Marketing Services Director, Central Business Services at Deloitte LLP
Find out more

Event 3: Developing neuro-inclusive workplaces

Inclusion and diversity event 3: neurodiversity

Learn how to attract, hire, adapt and develop neurodiverse talent in your organisation.

When: Wednesday 16 June at 1pm

Speakers:

  • Professor Amanda Kirby, CEO of Do-IT Solutions
  • Helen Needham, Founder of Me.Decoded and Management Consultant, Data Practice at Capco
Find out more

Event 4: Empowering LGBTQ+ people to succeed

Inclusion and diversity event 4: LGBTQ+

What type of training do organisations need to ensure the retention and advancement of LGBTQ+ employees.

When: Tuesday 22 June at 11am

Speakers:

  • Tanya Compas, Founder and CEO of Exist Loudly
  • Dr Ann Limb CBE DL FRSA, Chair of City & Guilds, Number 1 Public Sector Executive OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model List 2019
  • Jason Sloan, Organisational Development Lead, GSK, INvolve Top 50 OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Model
Find out more

Event 5: Gender Diversity - a women's panel

Inclusion and diversity event 5: gender diversity

Exploring how training is driving women inclusion in male-dominated industries.

When: Wednesday 30 June at 1pm

Speakers:

  • Sonya Byers, Chief Executive of Women in Transport
  • Alexandra Evreinoff, Managing Director of INvolve
  • Charly Young, CEO of The Girls' Network
  • Carmen Watson, Managing Director at Pertemps
Find out more
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