SUMMIT Announces 'The Neurodivergent Truth'

As part of SUMMIT’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we are launching a new project called The Neurodivergent Truth.

This large-scale, collaborative lived-experience initiative explores what it is really like to be neurodivergent in Essex today. The positives, the challenges, and everything in between.

If you live in Essex, or have lived there previously, and identify as neurodivergent, we would love to hear from you. This might mean having a formal diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia or Tourette’s. It could also include people who recognise neurodivergent traits in themselves or have related experiences such as OCD, hypermobility or fibromyalgia.

We’re really interested in hearing about people's experiences with employment, education, mental or physical health, relationships, community, or the journey to getting a diagnosis and the support available afterwards.

Why are we doing this? Communities are empowered when knowledge is shared and people come together to exchange ideas and inspire positive change. This project is entirely independent and self-funded. No outside groups can influence the outcomes, and nobody will make a profit from the stories shared with us. Instead, the insights and experiences people contribute will help us create free resources designed to improve understanding and support in workplaces, education, health and social care, and the wider community. Even small observations from your life can help others understand what being neurodivergent is really like and shape a more inclusive future.

You can remain anonymous, share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with, and take part in a way that suits you. This might be through an online questionnaire or an informal conversation in person, online, or over the phone. Those who take part will also have opportunities to stay involved and help shape how the project develops.

If you’ve ever felt that decisions about neurodivergent people are made without really listening to neurodivergent voices, this is a chance to help change that. We have only just started, but we’re really excited to see how the project evolves and grows in the months ahead.

Please visit https://www.summitservices.org.uk/neurodivergent-truth to learn more or get involved.