From a young age, I have always felt different and that I didn’t quite fit in. I always longed for a sense of belonging, to be included and valued. I was diagnosed with dyspraxia at the age of seven, and since my teenage years, have experienced periods of anxiety and poor mental health. It wasn’t until my 30s when I was diagnosed with ADHD and finally started putting the pieces of my unsolvable puzzle together. I am a a writer, author and youth worker based in Gateshead (the opposite side of the river from Newcastle!), and currently work as Communications and Digital Officer at Dartington Service Design Lab, who are a research and service design charity aimed at improving outcomes for children, young people and families.After developing my career, following numerous bouts of mental health relapses, and trying to understand where my neurodivergent brain can fit in, I have turned my attention to exploring in greater depth inclusion in the workplace. This thinking was inspired by now being in an environment that is supportive of growth whatever someone’s differences, identity or challenges.I have previously worked for Time to Change as Northeast Children and Young People’s Coordinator, where I was involved in the national campaign to challenge the stigma and discrimination of mental illness. I have also appeared on Radio 5 Live’s The Emma Barnett Show, BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio London, discussing ADHD, dyspraxia and neurodiversity.I hope that my now more positive experience of work will provide hope for others for the future, and act as a starting point for conversations, to challenge the expect norms around inclusion at work and throughout the systems and services we are part of an access. My writing draws on the challenging, complex and often difficult to talk about topics, to tackle stigma, normalise difference and being vulnerable, and to raise awareness of the issues people face.Read more about this authorRead less about this author