Creating an inclusive culture

Here at The Growth Company (GC), we want everyone to come to work as their whole selves, to feel included and to be treated with dignity and respect. We recognise the many strengths and talents that come from thinking and perceiving the world differently. By celebrating the strengths of neurodivergent individuals, we can begin to change the way neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported, empowering them to achieve their potential.

As humans, we all want to feel like we belong; promoting a culture that makes everyone feel welcomed, accepted, understood and celebrated matters. For this to happen, as a Company we must be flexible, and willing to adapt the workplace to suit individual needs including those who are neurodivergent.

What is neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity (aka “neurodivergence”) is a positive term coined in the late 1990s to celebrate the diversity inherent in human brains. It refers to natural variations and differences in the human genome that affect how people…

It is estimated that at least 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent and have unique traits, talents and challenges. Neurodiversity encompasses a wide range of conditions including ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Tourette's syndrome.

Empowering our neurodivergent employees

As we've identified, neurodivergent individuals bring many advantages to any workplace. They bring unique perspectives and strengthen the success of projects and tasks. However, some may require additional support in the workplace to help them overcome associated challenges and allow them to thrive.

Small changes to meet individual needs can make a big difference.

Following our session on “Neurodiversity in the Workplace”, we were pleased to note the general enthusiasm and appetence for more conversations on this topic. Building on the suggestions we have since created a Neurodiversity Support Group on Teams as well as appointed a number of Neurodiversity Champions across the business, below you can find further details.

Neurodiversity Support Group (subgroup of the Health and Wellbeing EDI Network)

You talked, we listened. Following suggestions from colleagues, we have created a Neurodiverse Support Group to help people to connect with others within the neurodiverse community, signpost to additional resources and have a safe space to ask questions to others with personal experience or knowledge. If you would like to join the support group, please get in contact. Once you have completed the Safeguarding Declaration form, we can add you to the group.

Appointed Neurodiversity Champions

Listening to suggestions from our neurodivergent community, we also created a Neurodiversity Champion role and asked for volunteers (with personal experience or an expertise) earlier this year. We want to continue to build on a network of people from across the business to offer additional peer to peer buddy support where needed and be involved in activities which will help to educate and encourage conversations around neurodiversity.

Role of the Neurodiversity Champion

Neurodiversity Champions will either be neurodivergent or have a good understanding and experience of the challenges associated to be able to support others and signpost to additional support.

The role is not too prescriptive as this will be dependent on capacity, so the amount of activity a champion will be involved in will differ, but key responsibilities of the role could include:

Raising awareness of neurodiversity and championing best practice though sharing personal experience to help educate others
Being involved in the employee Neurodiversity Support Network to provide valuable information and support to neurodivergent employees including organising virtual cafes
Work with the Company to help to identify ways of making the workplace more inclusive
Involvement in planning/promoting events and campaigns organised through the EDI Networks throughout the year
Mentor and/or buddy those interested in additional support

Check our current Neurodiversity Champions.

If you would like to get involved either as a Champion or to be supported by one of our Champions, please contact EDI@growthco.uk to discuss further.

Additional support and resources

Summer holidays; on the spectrum - click here to read the blogpost by Kate McQueen, IPS Employment Specialist

'Let's Talk Neurodiversity and How to Support Others in the Workplace' session - December 2023

This virtual bitesize session helps to increase awareness of neurodiversity and how you can support others in the workplace here at GC.

A big thank you to our Neurodiversity Champions who presented and shared their lived experience.

Here a recording of the session to watch base in case you missed it:

Here are the slides which were presented during the session.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - NHS

ADHD UK is a charity which aims to help people navigate their life with ADHD, they want to reduce the stigma that some attach to those with ADHD, build awareness, and undertake or fund research that will have a meaningful positive impact on those with ADHD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

In case you missed it: Our Wellbeing Wednesday message on Autism Awareness Month

Asperger syndrome and other terms - National Autistic Society

Transition to employment - Ambitions About Autism

Autism Research Institute - provides free access to webinars showcasing research findings, theories and people sharing experiences, from all perspectives.

Autism Together - offers a wide range of specialist support services to autistic people and support for autistic children and their families

Beyond Autism - is a non-profit organisation, driving change in the world of autism education to ensure autistic children and young adults (up to age 25) access an education which empowers a life full of choice, independence and opportunity.

Beyond Autism Employability Toolkit -this toolkit contains a range of information for autistic people, managers and professionals supporting autistic individuals.

Care Trade - Supporting and preparing people with autism for employment. Tel: 020 3375 6288

Click the video below to watch this short video by Ambitious About Autism where young people explain what it’s like being autistic and how to support autistic people:

Young people explain autism - Ambitious About Autism

Autism sensory experience:

This immersive video, filmed from a first-person perspective, is aimed at giving the viewer an idea of what it might be like for an autistic person to experience the sort of noisy, busy, everyday environments that we take for granted.

Tips for communication

Autistic people can have difficulty when it comes to processing information and need extra time to respond. When communicating with an autistic person, you might need to make changes to how you would usually communicate.

Processing information and time to respond

Limit how much you say and be careful not to be patronising.
Slow down your delivery, if needed.
Use specific words and emphasis.
Allow time between what you have said and the expected response.
Limit the number of questions posed, otherwise you might not get the best possible answers.
Ask an individual’s preference. Some may be happy with verbal instructions whilst others may prefer them in writing. Processing information and time to respond

Receptive language – how people understand language

Find out the best way to share instructions with each individual. Would they benefit from things being written down or presented visually?
Think about slowing down your speech and reducing the amount of information you are giving at one time.
Don't repeat the same instruction over and over again - say it once clearly and allow the person to process the information at their own pace.
Check that the person has understood by asking them to confirm what is expected of them.

Expressive language

The person may have limited verbal language skills and will be using Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC).
AAC can be anything from using sign language to using visuals to communicate their needs through a communication book or using a tablet / device.
Allow the person to ask questions at their own pace and seek clarification together if needed.
Their speech may be impaired and might not be clear. Work together to seek clarification - written or visual support may help. Consider whether an interpreter might be needed, e.g. a sign language interpreter.
Technology can be a great thing – texting might be a useful way to communicate too!

Dyslexia

British Dyslexia Association - The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) has been the voice of dyslexic people since 1972. We are a membership organisation working to achieve a dyslexia-friendly society for all.

Use Grammarly which is a free tool which can help with grammar and spelling, style and tone. Grammarly’s suggestions are comprehensive, helping you communicate effectively and as you intend.

Grammarly review - Life as a dyslexic improved

Dyslexia Box

How dyslexic capabilities can help organisations of the future - EY

Bionic Reading - you have to pay for the full application, but you can paste or write into the application online for free.

Beeline is also a great app that changes colours of certain words.

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia Foundation - The Dyspraxia Foundation is a country Wide charity, founded in 1987 as the Dyspraxia Trust. The charity supports individuals and families affected by dyspraxia/DCD and promotes better diagnostic and treatment facilities for those who have dyspraxia/DCD.

Tourettes

Tourettes Action - Tourettes Action works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is the leading support and research charity for people with Tourette Syndrome and their families. They want people with TS to receive the practical support and social acceptance they need to help them live their lives to the full.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Overview of Borderline personality disorder - NHS

About Borderline personality disorder (BPD) - Mind

Borderline Arts - Uses the arts to raise awareness of borderline personality disorder and reduce stigma.

Depression/Anxiety

Mental Health - NHS

Health & Wellbeing - Our Working Way Staff Hub - We have a range of additional resources to access through this page including EAP, Mental Health First Aiders and the Wellness Action Plan tool.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy Action - Epilepsy Action is a community of people committed to a better life for everyone affected by epilepsy.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia - British Dyslexia Association

Irlen Syndrome (also known as Visual Stress)

Colorviel is free and you can use any colour overlay on your computer screen. You can download the programme and the contact IT to get it approved, but it’s all safe and good to us on our work laptops.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is OCD? - Mind

TOP UK (Triumph Over Phobia) - Provides self-help therapy groups and support for those with OCD, phobias and related anxiety health conditions.

Support at Work

Check out this toolkit Genius Screener - Genius Within which enables individuals to explore the work-related strengths and struggles common to neurominorities.

Neurodiversity at work - here are some key takeaways from MindTools.

Training and development

You can access a collection of short videos on our Performance and Learning Platform (PAL). Search “Neurodiversity: video series” on the App to increase knowledge and understanding.

You can also access recordings of the 3 x previous lunch and learns below.

Session 1: Understanding Neurodiversity

Our first event entitled “Understanding Neurodiversity” took place on November 9th. It gave colleagues a better sense of what neurodiversity means, why this term is helpful and why we need to embrace individuality over labels. Our special guest, Peter Craen, team leader at GC’s Business Growth Hub, shared with us his experience of raising a son with autism. The session also included an open discussion.

Catch up with the session | View the video slides

Session 2: Neurodiversity – Getting the Communication Right

Our second session will take place on December 2nd at 1pm. In a short presentation, I will touch on issues of communication around neurodiversity (how to talk about it; how to break down communication barriers). Our special guest will share their experience of engaging with neurodiverse individuals creatively. This will be followed by a Q&A and open discussion. This Lunch & Learn will be a chance for us to celebrate the International Day of Disabled People. We will be sharing resources that will help you navigate the world of neurodiversity, including a calendar of neurodiverse role models.

View the video slides

Session 3: Neurodiversity in the Workplace

The third session will take place on January 13th at 1pm and will focus on neurodiversity in the workplace. We will look at how to recruit and retain neurodiverse people, the benefits of hiring a diverse workforce and examples of best practice both at GC and in other workplaces. We will be reading anonymous testimonies of staff within the Growth Company who experienced barriers in their professional lives and encourage people to think of innovative solutions to overcome them.

Catch up with the session | View the video slides

Watch the Neurodiversity Playlist on our PAL App, which is a series of short videos on understanding Neurodiversity in the workplace. You can also access previous lunch and learns which explained more about neurodiversity including Understanding Neurodiversity, Neurodiversity in the Workplace and Let’s Talk Neurodiversity and How to Support Others.

Additional support and resources

Access to Work – Support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help pay for any reasonable adjustments you might need in the workplace. Tel: 08001217579

Andy Hall Interviews Matty, a Neurodiverse Entrepreneur - As part of our neurodiversity campaign, Andy Hall (previously Mentoring Relationship Specialist in People, Skills & Talent) interviewed Matty, a friend, client and local entrepreneur about his journey in business whilst being neurodiverse.

Anonymous testimonial: Functional Neurological Disorder, and how it affects me

How can we be inclusive if we don't include everyone - EY

Mencap - A national charity which offers advice and support to people with learning disabilities and autism. Tel: 0808 808 1111

Neurodiverse Celebrity Role Models

Testimonial: Sue Westwood, BGH Mentor

Derby University run an online course for free - 18 hours of CPD.

Creating an inclusive culture

Empowering our neurodivergent employees

Additional support and resources

Support at Work

Training and development

Additional support and resources

Further reading