Speaking Of... Neurodiversity
About this Event
Speaking Of… is a peer to peer conversation space for people who are curious to learn more about topics they don't normally feel comfortable talking about.
This session focuses on Neurodiversity
Most of us have grown up being taught there is a right way to think, a right way to learn, and a right way to communicate. What we weren't taught is that roughly one in five people in the UK have a brain that works differently from what society considers the default.
Neurodiversity isn't a niche topic. It's about all of us, how our brains vary, what that means for the way we experience work and relationships, and why the environments we create either help people thrive or pushes them out on the sidelines.
This session explores what neurodiversity actually means, why the language around it matters, how ableism shows up in workplaces without anyone intending it, and what we can do differently if we want to create environments where people can genuinely be themselves rather than perform a version of normal that is zapping their energy, and in the worst cases could become tragic.
As always we'll look not only at where our own beliefs and assumptions about these topics come from and how they shape the way we show up for the people around us, but we’ll also make our own plans of what we might want to do differently if we want to change the conversation.
This is one session in a monthly series, with a different content topic each month.
Next month will be gender and sexuality.
What to expect
A small group of peers meeting for a few hours to speak openly and honestly.
We open with an hour of learning content focused on the topic, drawing on research and real perspectives to ground the conversation. From there we move into discussion, starting with your own experience, widening out to the room and your work, and then looking beyond it to the wider world. You'll leave with one thing to take with you, whether that's a reflection, an action, or a conversation worth having elsewhere.
No prior experience needed. And there's no agenda beyond wanting to understand more and being willing to participate.
A short pre-work prompt will be sent a few days before the session. It's optional, but for some it will enable you to arrive ready to think and share.
About the facilitator
Katie Allen is a speaker, coach and facilitator who helps leaders and teams get curious about the difficult conversations that usually get ignored or avoided.
Speaking Of… brings her work into a small group setting where people can explore and discuss set topics together to expand their own frames of reference and make up their own minds.
Good things to know
Places are limited to keep the groups small and conversational, so book early. This is a discussion, not a lecture, come ready to take part.
How we hold the space
Every session opens with a short check in and a set of group agreements that everyone commits to, things like confidentiality, speaking from your own experience, and the right to pass on anything you don't want to answer.
You won't be put on the spot. You can take part as much or as little as feels right for you on the day.
By design, some of these topics can be challenging for people. All perspectives are valid in the pursuit of learning, and disagreement is to be expected. However, any and all forms of hate speech as well as any personally directed insults, slurs, or abuse will not be tolerated. Anyone exhibiting these behaviours will be asked to leave and they will forfeit the cost of their seat at the table.
We will all take accountability for what we bring in to the room, and that includes our mistakes. Getting things wrong doesn't make you a bad person, and this is a space for curiosity, not perfection. And that goes for everyone in the room, facilitator included.
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Arrivals and informal chats
Host: Katie Allen
Info: Drinks and snacks will be available, with a view to sitting down at 09:30.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Kicking Off - 09:30
Info: Welcoming the group and setting expectations
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Speaker / Training / Workshop
Info: We will spend 1 hour on learning content to inform the session conversations. This will be followed by a break.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Peer discussion - 11:00
Info: The remaining 90 minutes will be the peer group discussion and exploring how we feel about the topic and what we have learned.
Wrapping up - 12:30
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 44.00
