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Crafting Better Work for the Future: An Evening Showcasing the Strengths of Neurodivergence event

On Tuesday 11th June 2024, Maria Swift (Post 16 SEND Lead Officer) and Erika Mariella-Worrall (Post 16 SEND Project Officer), organised Crafting Better Work for the Future: An Evening Showcasing the Strengths of Neurodivergence event at Marmaduke’s Sorting Office.

The event explored an innovative approach of integrating strengths crafting.  This is a strategy for centering employee’s strengths, as well as the huge benefits of placing neurodiversity at the heart of any business.

5 cartoon people, one is in a wheelchair

Charlotte Axon (Business Psychologist from Tailored Thinking), presented and discussed research-backed benefits for employee wellbeing and productivity. She also shared research that was undertaken collaboratively with James Eves (Strengths Coach and founder of Work Pirates).  This was from strength-based workshops with Sheaf Training College learners who are currently studying a work-based study programmes/Supported Internship Programme (SIP).

Watch our video

2 women, one has long brown hair and the other has long blond hair

The evening was packed with different activities offering the chance for attendees to learn about how actively creating opportunities for neurodivergent young people can enrich their work culture, solve recruitment challenges and enable them and their organisation to participate in making work better for everyone.  

The highlight of the evening was hearing insightful talks from guest speakers on their personal experiences:

  • Charlie Davies (SCC Library Apprentice and former Sheaf Training SIP student) and Adam Khan (Sheaf Training SIP student) shared their personal experiences of being a young neurodivergent person going through the educational system and into the world of work.
  • Tim Nye (Marmadukes owner) shared his personal experience, and organisational benefits, of offering work placements and paid employment to young neurodivergent people.

Thank you

Maria and Erika would like to thank everyone involved:

  • Charlotte and James,
  • Charlie, Adam and Tim,
  • All the guests who attended
  • Matthew Barsby and Riccardo Cenci from Infreym for documenting the event.

Learn more

If you’d like to know more about strengths crafting in the work place please don’t hesitate to email Charlotte on charlotte@tailoredthinking.co.uk.

If you’re interested in exploring how you can support neurodivergent people transitioning from education into the world of work please contact either Maria Swift maria.swift@sheffield.gov.uk or Erika Mariella-Worrall erika.mariella-worrall@sheffield.gov.uk

Only together, can we create a more inclusive and diverse workforce in our already rich and wonderful community of Sheffield!

Photos from the evening

Picture of 3 women. Woman on the left has long brown hair, woman in the middle has long blond hair and the woman on the right has long auburn hair.

Group of people sat at tables

Man giving a speech

Large room with people at tables watching some at the front give a speech