Leeds event for neurodivergent professionals explores inclusive careers
During Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-22 March), Steph Nelson, Founder of NeuroCreators is hosting a new professional development event in Leeds.
The event brings together neurodivergent professionals and allies to explore what truly neuroinclusive careers can look like - and how workplaces can close the gap between potential and burnout.
The event arrives at a critical time. According to reports from NHS England, unsupported ADHD alone is estimated to cost the UK economy around £17 billion each year through lost productivity, sickness absence and workforce attrition.
The Brilliant BrainBlueprint will take place on Friday 20 March at the Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Beckett University during Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a global initiative that challenges misconceptions about neurological differences and promotes acceptance, inclusion and recognition of neurodivergent strengths across schools, universities and workplaces.
The event is organised through NeuroCreators, Nelson’s coaching and training organisation which supports both neurodivergent individuals and organisations to create sustainable, neuroinclusive ways of working.
Through coaching programmes, workshops and consultancy, NeuroCreators helps individuals develop practical strategies that work with their brains, while supporting businesses to better understand neurodiversity, implement effective workplace adjustments and unlock the strengths of neurodivergent talent.
The event also builds on the success of NeuroCreators’ flagship C.R.E.A.T.E Group Coaching Programme, developed as part of the integrated coaching service commissioned by the Leeds Health and Care Academy and delivered as the Thrive @ Work initiative by Linking Leeds and Inspire North
At the heart of NeuroCreators is a philosophy led by lived experience and backed by real neuroscience and psychology. Steph Nelson, Founder of NeuroCreators said: “NeuroCreators was born from my own experience of living in the gap between ‘high potential’ and hitting the wall.
"For years I was the person who excelled academically and progressed quickly in my career. But internally I was burning out because the systems and advice I was following simply weren’t designed for a neurodivergent brain.”
A former art teacher and educational leader, Nelson later recognised that the challenges she had been facing were linked to AuDHD (Autism and ADHD). What followed was a period of research, experimentation and deep learning about executive function, nervous system regulation and neurodivergent psychology.
Steph added: “I’m really looking forward to hosting The Brilliant BrainBlueprint, and we already have nearly 50 people signed up to attend.
"The concept of a ‘Blueprint’ represents moving away from forcing neurodivergent individuals to fit traditional workplace systems, and instead helping them understand how their own minds work.
"The word ‘Brilliant’ celebrates the strengths often associated with neurodivergent thinking - creativity, innovation and deep focus - shifting the conversation away from deficits and towards potential.
“Standard productivity advice often leads neurodivergent professionals to shame rather than success. Our approach is different. We don’t try to ‘fix’ people. We create psychologically safe, evidence-based environments where individuals can understand their brains, regulate their nervous systems and leverage their strengths.”
The event will feature a keynote from Nelson alongside a panel discussion titled “Redrafting the Workplace”, exploring how organisations can design environments where neurodivergent people don’t simply survive but thrive.
Panel speakers include Lucy Cooke, founder of Lift Your Life Fitness Coaching and host of the Not Your NeuroTypical Podcast, Tara Gabriel, clinical hypnotherapist and psychotherapist at Inner Sage Hypnotherapy, and Joe Ramsay, registered mental health nurse and neurodiversity consultant.
The event welcomes autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic and otherwise neurodivergent professionals, as well as allies committed to building more inclusive workplaces.
The space and programme has been intentionally designed to be neuro-inclusive. A sensory-aware environment, Topic Stations, conversation prompt cards and a Traffic Light badge system will allow attendees to engage comfortably without the pressure to mask.
Through NeuroCreators and initiatives like The Brilliant BrainBlueprint, Nelson hopes to build a growing network of neurodivergent professionals and allies who are actively reshaping the future of work.
For tickets visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-brilliant-brainblueprint-networking-for-neurodivergent-professionals-tickets-1982890723532?aff=oddtdtcreator#location