24 Mar 2026
Neurodiversity Week 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity of how people think, learn and experience the world. It also encourages important conversations about inclusion, understanding and the ways we can better support one another, at work and beyond.
At The Forward Trust, we recognise that no two people experience life in the same way. Creating environments where both our staff and the people we support feel understood, valued and able to thrive is central to what we do.
Understanding Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term used to describe the natural variation in how our brains work. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and more.
Rather than viewing these differences as weakness, neurodiversity encourages us to see them as alternative ways of thinking, processing and interacting with the world.
Supporting Neurodiversity at Forward
We are not specialists in neurodiversity but we are committed to listening, learning and adapting so that both our staff and clients feel supported.
Across our services and workplaces, this means focusing on flexibility, understanding and practical support. We aim to create environments where people can work and engage in ways that suit them, rather than expecting everyone to fit into the same model.
What We’ve Been Doing This Year
As part of our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, we have developed a range of internal support and resources for staff, including:
A dedicated Neurodiversity Hub providing guidance, tools and signposting for staff who have a formal diagnosis or suspect they may be neurodivergent, as well as managers supporting neurodivergent employees
Increased access to training and learning, including webinars and e-learning on neurodiveristy and opportunities to learn from individuals with lived experience of autism, ADHD etc.
Clearer guidance around reasonable adjustments, to empower staff to ask for the support they need and managers to facilitate this process effectively
The introduction of Recite Me across our website and internal platforms, helping to improve digital accessibility for both staff and the people we support, alongside ongoing work to make our digital spaces more inclusive and easier to navigate
The continued development of our Embrace Employee Resource Group, providing a safe and supportive space for colleagues to connect, share experiences and learn from one another
Improvements to how we collect disability data, allowing colleagues to share information about neurodiversity and specific conditions where they feel comfortable, helping us better understand needs and shape more targeted support going forward
Alongside this, we’ve introduced a practical toolkit designed to help staff manage workload, improve focus and find ways of working that suit them.
Staff Experiences
“For a long time I suspected I might be neurodivergent, in particularly ADHD. I’ve often struggled with things like concentration, procrastination and managing projects, and it could be frustrating seeing how easily others seemed to stay organised.
Speaking to my manager about it made a huge difference. They were incredibly supportive and open to making small adjustments, like setting clearer priorities, shorter deadlines and focusing on tasks that play more to my strengths.
Having that extra structure has made a real difference to my productivity and confidence at work. It’s also made it much easier to be open about workload and find ways of working that actually work for me.” – Forward Staff Member
Neurodiversity and Addiction
For some individuals, neurodivergence and addiction can be closely linked. Differences in areas such as impulse control, emotional regulation, sensory processing or communication can shape how someone experiences the world, and at times, how they cope within it.
This can mean that some neurodivergent individuals may be more vulnerable to substance misuse or face additional barriers when accessing support.
At Forward, we are mindful that recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Understanding the individual, rather than applying a standard approach, is key to providing meaningful support.
Supporting Neurodiverse Clients
We know that people accessing our services may have a wide range of needs, including neurodivergent traits, whether formally diagnosed or not.
Our approach focuses on adapting support to the individual wherever possible, recognising that small changes can make a real difference to engagement and recovery.
This can include:
Communicating clearly, using plain language and offering information in different formats
Allowing more time for appointments or offering shorter, more regular sessions
Providing written summaries or simple, structured action plans to support memory and focus
Offering flexibility in how and when people access support, including remote or same-day appointments where possible
Creating calmer, more private environments for those who may find busy or overstimulating spaces challenging
Involving trusted family members, advocates or support workers where appropriate
Building consistent relationships with staff to reduce disruption and build trust
Where needed, we also work closely with other services to ensure people receive the right support. This might include referrals for assessment, access to mental health support, or partnership working with other organisations to provide more holistic care.
Support doesn’t rely on a formal diagnosis. We focus on understanding each person’s strengths, challenges and preferences, and adapting our approach to help them engage in a way that works for them.
We also recognise that recovery can be more complex for those experiencing overlapping challenges such as mental health needs, trauma, or unstable living situations. By taking a flexible, person-centred approach, we aim to reduce barriers and create a space where people feel safe, understood and able to make progress.
Client Case Study
One individual accessing our Southend service came to Forward following a drug-related offence, seeking support to reduce their substance use.
To support engagement, they were encouraged to attend sessions with family members, helping them better retain and process information. Following this, they were referred for a mental health assessment through our dual diagnosis lead, leading to support from both primary and secondary care services.
They were later diagnosed with ADHD and are currently awaiting medication. In the meantime, they are being supported by the Health and Wellbeing Team and have received medication to help with sleep.
Additional needs, including gambling, were identified during sessions, with referrals made to specialist gambling support. Due to the complexity of their needs, further multi-agency support has been arranged, with inpatient rehabilitation also being considered.
Further Support and Resources
We know the importance of accessing trusted, specialist information. If you’d like to learn more about neurodiversity or seek support, the following organisations provide expert guidance:
