We are a registered charity created to provide support for neurodivergent children and young adults with the objective of enabling them to thrive, while increasing awareness of neurodiversity and providing a support network for their families and wider connections.
Neurodiversity is the concept that all humans vary in terms of our neurocognitive ability: everyone has both talents and things they struggle with.
However, for some people the variation between these strengths and challenges is more pronounced, which can bring advantage but can also be disabling. Neurodivergent people tend to find some things very easy and other things incredibly hard. This usually leads to an inconsistent performance at school or work. Neurodiversity can be a competitive advantage when the individuals are in the right environment, making use of their strengths, instead of constantly trying to overcome challenges. To achieve this we must create inclusive spaces to work and learn that reduce disabling factors and amplify diverse abilities.
Autism is a lifelong condition that affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people, and how they experience the world around them.
Autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you are autistic, you are autistic for life: autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Often people feel being autistic is a fundamental aspect of their identity. Autism is a spectrum condition. All autistic people share certain differences and difficulties, but being autistic will affect them in different ways.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are common neurological disorders.
People who are affected by ADHD typically show high levels of symptoms relating to poor concentration, disorganisation, impulsivity, hyperactivity and mood instability.
Individuals with autism, ADHD and other related conditions can be socially isolated and can struggle to achieve their full potential.
The charity aims to benefit young neurodivergent individuals living in North Hampshire and surrounding areas, their families and other carers. It has been established with the objective of enabling them to thrive, while increasing awareness of neurodiversity and providing a support network for families and others involved in the care of neurodivergent children and young adults.
We are building a network of parents and carers who have negotiated and are currently negotiating the many challenges that can arise with supporting a neurodivergent individual.
The charity may also be able to offer partial funding to enable neurodivergent individuals and their families to access specialist support that may not be readily available from the state. This could include help with an initial assessment, psychology, speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychiatry or legal appointments. Support may also be provided for EHCP and benefits applications and appeals. A panel of trustees will review applications on a regular basis.
The trustees are building and developing their knowledge of effective specialist suppliers in order to establish an evolving network of approved providers of the various types of support that the charity wishes to offer.
In the longer term, it is envisaged that the charity may subsidise places on social skills courses and fund training in schools or other institutions.
Chair
Alison qualified as a solicitor in 1989 and is a consultant in the Corporate department of Herbert Smith Freehills, an international law firm.
Alison has two children, now aged 21 and 23, with diagnoses of autism. The younger also has a diagnosis of ADHD and the elder has a diagnosis of dyspraxia. She has wide-ranging experience of accessing support for her children’s educational, health and social welfare needs. For the past six years, Alison has also been leading on Herbert Smith Freehills’ autism initiative and on its wider neurodiversity strategy which has included working with other leading organisations working in this area.
Treasurer
Sarah is finance director of a not-for-profit organisation that she established with two breastfeeding counsellor colleagues in 2013.
She has been a preschool Chair, school Governor and trustee of two other charities since changing career direction in 2007. She also established the successful FOOBS trail and fun run in 2018. Sarah and her husband, a Finance Director, have three children, currently 21, 19 & 17, their middle child was diagnosed with ASD in 2020 and ADHD in 2022 after a long period struggling with their mental health.
Secretary
Sue has management experience in Customer Contact and Organisation Design (HR) for a major retailer.
She has previously volunteered with an autism charity that required assistance with its processes and procedures. Sue has many family members with ADHD and ASD and volunteers with a Scout Group where she has a particular interest in supporting children with additional needs to feel included and helping them take part.
She is currently working as Practice Manager for a new clinic in the Basingstoke area.
Trustee
Prior to having children, Ali worked for an Investment Bank in London.
Ali is married with two children and in 2006, her youngest was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD, which is where her journey into Neurodiversity began.
To gain a better understanding of how children and young people with SEN were being supported in education, Ali worked in a primary school supporting children with EHCP’s and has volunteered for the ‘SOS!’ SEN Charity providing advice to parents since 2016. In 2017 she joined forces with a colleague to help and support local families through the labyrinth of SEN and EHCP process. Ali is passionate about empowering parents through what can seem a daunting and emotional rollercoaster.
Trustee
Ineke decided to become a trustee because of what her family went through in their journey to understand and deal with their neurodiversity. Her two children have different combinations of ADHD, ASD, dyslexia and anxiety, Ineke herself has been diagnosed with ADHD. Understanding these conditions, and getting appropriate help has made an enormous difference to their lives.
The charity’s goal is to support families on a similar journey, both financially and emotionally, and she is happy to be a part of that.
As an ADHD ‘sufferer’ (the condition definitely has pros as well as cons) her life has been rather disorganised. She trained as a linguist, but she has been an Argentine tango dancer, a theatrical wardrobe mistress and a CAB advice worker. She hopes to use her experience at the CAB in supporting neurodivergent families.
We’re here to help and would love to answer any questions or talk about how we could work together.