Tag: Mindroom

Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Mindroom’s Shocking Surge in Support Needs

2023 Impact Report reveals that cost-of-living crisis has had a disproportionate impact on families affected by disability

Mindroom, a leading charity championing neurodiversity, has released its 2023 Impact Report, highlighting a staggering 261% surge in demand for direct help and support services for young people in wake of Covid.

Alan Thornburrow, CEO of Salvesen Mindroom Centre comments, “We, like many other charities that work with young people, are facing significant challenges due to the post-Covid landscape.

“Clinical mental health conditions have increased significantly, access to public services has been reduced, and the cost-of-living crisis has had a disproportionate impact on families affected by disability.”

A total of 2,249 issues were raised during 2023 with almost half of those centering around further support with education. Key issues included access to education, assessments, bullying, school exclusion, communication with school staff, legal entitlements, placement requests and transitions from school.

People also sought support for health-related issues including access to assessment and diagnostic services, post-diagnostic support, access to mental health services, support to navigate health-related meetings and signposting to other sources of support.

In response to this sizable increase in demand, the charity has worked hard to become a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of neurodivergence in an evolving world.

The 2023 report highlights how Mindroom’s nimble response has contributed to the pressures that exist with issues in education, health, parent support, and transitions.

Thornburrow continues, “Grounded in a person-centred, strengths-based approach, Mindroom’s Direct Help and Support service has become a catalyst for achievements. It’s not just about services; it’s about unlocking pathways to vital resources, fostering empowerment, and nurturing a culture of inclusion.

“By providing the right support at the right time, we improved access to vital services for neurodivergent young people across Scotland. Through our work, we empowered individuals, fostered inclusion, and facilitated positive changes in their lives, contributing to a more equitable society that values all kinds of minds.”

The impact isn’t just measured; it’s celebrated. Overwhelmingly positive metrics speak volumes with up to 100% satisfaction reported by service users.

95% of parents and carers felt that Mindroom made a significant difference to them and their children’s lives and 95% of parents also felt that the team understood their experiences, concerns, and questions.

SMR6745-Impact-Report-AW_S4Download

Thornburrow concludes, “Together, we are making a positive difference in the lives of Scotland’s neurodivergent children, young people, and their families.

“As we look ahead at the rest of 2024, we are excited to continue collaborating and building a brighter future together.”

For more information on Salvesen Mindroom Centre go to:

https://www.mindroom.org/

Influential entrepreneur becomes Vice-Chair of Salvesen Mindroom

Business leader, educator and entrepreneur Judy Wagner has been appointed Vice Chair of neurodiversity champions Salvesen Mindroom Centre.

Ms Wagner, a strong advocate for diversity in the workplace for three decades, has been a trustee of the Edinburgh-based charity for the past three years during which time her influential business network has helped to expand the charity’s reach and impact.

She has also enabled the charity to broaden its scope of service delivery and attracted new clients and opportunities to extend its services.

An Edinburgh University graduate and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, she has been heavily involved in championing diversity issues since co-founding international executive search business FWB Park Brown in 1993 and has also worked with Scottish Enterprise to establish the Balancing the Boardroom project, the first of its kind in Scotland for women on boards.

Last year she was part of an independent review on Women in Entrepreneurship commissioned by the Scottish Government. She focused on the education sector, liaising with key leaders across the whole sector, examining how enterprise and diversity, including neurodiversity, could be embedded in our education system. 

“There is no doubt that the best teams embrace diversity of all forms,” she says. “And the benefits of embracing neurodiversity in the workplace are well proven in ensuring success, attracting and retaining key talent and creating a welcoming environment.”

Ms Wagner, who is also passionate about Salvesen Mindroom’s role as a key partner in the Salvesen Mindroom Research Centre, part of the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences at The University of Edinburgh, is committed to helping establish the charity as a centre of excellence for Neurodiversity, supporting children, young people and those in the workplace with leading research, advice and practical resources.

Salvesen Mindroom Centre’s Chair Sandy Manson, who has long argued for diversity to become a key business priority, says: “Judy’s ethos and enthusiasm are a perfect fit for us.

“She embraces everything we are trying to achieve and has already proved an impressive force for good on various fronts, including using her networks to publicise and attract delegates for the global It Takes All Kinds Of Minds conference we held in the city in March. We look forward to enhancing our offering further with her guidance as Vice Chair.”

Salvesen Mindroom Centre is a charity that champions all forms of neurodiversity and supports all kinds of minds. Their mission is to be a leading centre for change, in how we live, work and learn. They will achieve this through support, education, advocacy, and research. Visit their website for more information on the charity’s work.