We shone a light on neurodiversity through an immersive awareness event

We recently hosted a dedicated Neurodiversity Experience in Worcestershire, bringing together customers, colleagues and local partners to improve understanding, challenge perceptions and foster a more inclusive housing environment.  

The event, which took place at Malvern Town Football Club towards the end of last year, attracted around 50 attendees, including housing professionals, support workers and some of our customers with lived experience of neurodivergence.  

Developed in partnership with specialist consultants and shaped by feedback from neurodivergent individuals, the interactive session offered immersive insights into how people with different neurodiverse profiles experience day to day interactions and environments, from sensory overload to communication challenges.  

Tom Piotrowski, our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager said: “Our Neurodiversity Experience was designed to deepen empathy and improve practical understanding.  It’s part of our commitment to creating services and spaces that work for everyone, because true inclusion means meeting people where they are, not where we expect them to be.”  

The event featured a marketplace style event, supported by a range of organisations specialising in neurodiversity support and advice, alongside those with shared lived experiences and take home resources for colleagues and stakeholders to apply in their own roles.  

Tom concluded: “Creating inclusive services starts with listening.  It was powerful to see the willingness in the room to understand, unlearn and do better.  Platform’s leadership on this is commendable.”  

The experience forms part of our wider equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, with more sessions planned this year to continue building awareness across the business and beyond.   

Photo caption : Nick Richardson, Community Engagement Officer at Platform Housing Group at the recent neurodiversity event in Malvern