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Welcome to our website

Neurodivergent Abilities offers bespoke support that provides neurodivergent individuals with strategies, and the knowledge and skills needed to thrive. We help neurotypical individuals understand how they can better support and include neurodivergent individuals

The highest priority of Neurodivergent Abilities is to provide effective support that teaches you the strategies / skills needed, to manage the challenges that you or another individual face. 

Neurodivergent Abilities logo
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ABOUT US

 Neurodivergent Abilities has been founded by Kerrie Dunnett and Michelle Chisholm to support the needs of Nuerodivergent individuals, their families or carer. Our team met through working at Autism and ADHD, an award winning social enterprise that supports world wide, working along side

Dr Annie Clements(Hons).

Previously we had all been clients of Autism and ADHD at a time our own challenges became too much to manage. We went on to study Autism and ADHD completing different qualifications and used the skills learnt on our own journeys to join the AutismandADHD.org team and support others.  

We all immediately connected due to parenting neurodivergent children and having some similar quirks ourselves. 

At points on our journeys we have all felt

Alone, judged by others, low confidence, misunderstood, overwhelmed, exhausted, emotional, anxious.

By meeting others who just get it, we now feel

Not alone, inspired, empowered, confident, sense of belonging, strong, able, determined, proud. 

Meeting others who understood, didn't judge and lived it too changed my life

quote by Michelle Chisholm

Our Mission

Give knowledge needed to navigate a world not yet meeting the needs of neurodivergent individuals.

Help individuals feel more confident about where to turn next

End loneliness individuals feel on their life journey by setting up social groups

Ensure neurodivergent individuals have their rights met

To bring neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals together through better understanding

Boost confidence via volunteering roles with us.

Share the You Are Able statement that we promote

If you would like to help our organisation grow so we can help more individuals. Please make a donation either by posting a cheque to our registered address

Neurodivergent Abilities

 471 Foxhall Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP3 8LW

If you would like to fundraise for us please contact us via email

nd-abilities@outlook.com so we can promote your fundraiser.

Here are details of our

GO FUND ME page

https://gofund.me/eba9a290

Meet the Directors

Our team are friendly, understanding and non judgemental.

Our whole team has a connection to neurodiversity, so fully understand the challenges faced and need for support that helps.

Meet our Volunteer Team

One 2 One Support Sessions
For Families/individuals living within Suffolk

Therapist

Face 2 Face
Support Sessions

We know all too well how overwhelming life can be, we also know the positive impact it makes speaking to others who just get it, don't judge, and just want to offer support.

We offer face to face sessions in our Ipswich office that has been carefully designed to offer comfort and relaxation.

We have a wealth of knowledge to point you in the right direction.

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Online Support Sessions

We understand that some individuals may struggle to meet face 2 face, therefore we offer Teams sessions. 

Teams allows you to turn your camera on or off, it is important to us that you feel as comfortable as possible whilst speaking with us

Independent Living Support Package

Each package is bespoke to suit individual need's

Packages 2 & 3 are offered within IPSWICH only

Package 1
x3 1 hour support sessions
Gives you the knowledge / resources needed to prepare an individual to be
independent.
This package is offered face 2 face in our office

Package 2

x5 1.5 hour support sessions in the clients home.

We support the care giver and individual. We offer advice on what benefits / disability discounts you can claim. We create a bespoke support folder of information to aid independent living.

Package 3 

10 hour support plan

x5 Check-in telephone calls

Bespoke support folder, this is created as an Autism friendly instruction guide book for Anything house related.

Visual aids created if needed

Advice about benefits

Cooking

Cleaning

Budgeting

Support accessing the community

Environment advice to help meet sensory needs 

Ongoing support can be arranged after completion of this package deal.

For prices please email us

nd-abilities@outlook.com

Cleaning the Counter

 Social Group Information

We know how lonely life can feel, how difficult it can be to make new friends.

Maybe you want to try something new but haven't got anyone to do it with.

We offer social meet up groups

Our team will visit the chosen venue before hand and create social stories to ensure you have enough information about the venue / location and what to expect when you arrive, to help reduce anxiety. 

Should there be any discounts you are entitled to at the chosen venue we will be attending, we will inform you of this.

Pub Meet Up 

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Pub Meet Up

Sound Bath

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Social Groups
Stories from our community
Director Michelle Chisholm and child
 
Teegan Leone Havva Aricioglu
I was diagnosed late with ADHD age 16 due to teachers / professionals working with me from age 12 having lack of knowledge about Autism and ADHD, no one ever mentioned I could be on the spectrum.
Even my family thought I was a misbehaved child.
I felt failed, left out, judged and bullied and different growing up.
Not getting the right support when young has impacted my mental health as an adult, I struggle to accept help as an adult as I didn't have professional support as a child. I have got use to being in my own world.
It means the world to me that my mum trained in Autism and ADHD as she is now able to better meet my needs and support me.

Keeley Rimmer 
My daughter is 11 years old and is diagnosed with Autism. The support I have been given over the last few years has been invaluable.

Kerrie has gone above and beyond and been alongside my daughter and family pre and post diagnosis. Kerrie is able to communicate with my daughter in a fun, energetic way and turns worries into sparkles. She  empowers my daughters independence and makes her feel included and builds her confidence and self esteem.

Kerrie is very much a community spirt and likes to make everyone included and builds on individual strengths. I can not recommend the team enough.
Marianne Suchowij
After several years of fighting the system to get the right help and support for my son, I spoke to Michelle asking for advice on where I could go from here on in.

Michelle explained what I needed to address with the school what tests they could carry out and whom to speak with moving forward.

I took Michelles advice and spoke with school again, and finally got the response I'd been looking for for years.

My son finally got the help he needed and an EHCP was put in place, since September my son has been at a SEMH school this has helped him to come on leaps and bounds.

I don't think we would be where we are today if I hadn't of contacted Michelle in regards to my and his needs.

 
Mountains
Mountains
A big thank you to Step Forward Education for their kind donation to our Go Fund Me page.
£20 for a 2.5 hour English & Maths session for Home educated children in Suffolk. Fantastic venues in Waldringfield and Ipswich, with excellent facilities and access to outdoor space. Each session includes 30 minutes of recreation time to meet new friends and have fun.
https://www.stepforwardeducation.co.uk/book-a-class
At Step Forward Education, we offer students the opportunity to be part of a new approach to learning. Home educated children now have access to innovative, engaging, and outstanding English and Maths lessons, without the constraints of the mainstream system. We create a nurturing, interactive environment; we focus on building confidence and resilience, and our small group sizes allow us to connect with students on a meaningful level to bring out the best in them.

FAB-TEK Engineering Ltd

Neurodivergent Abilities 
would like to say a big thank you to  FAB-TEK for designing and making our disability ramp.
Mountains

Your company

Support the work we do and we will advertise you here

CONTACT US

471 Foxhall Road,

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP3 8LW

UK

nd-abilities@outlook.com

Opening Times

Tuesday 9.30am - 2.30pm

Wednesday 9.30am - 9pm

Thursday 9.30am - 2.30pm

We are on Facebook find us by searching Neurodivergent Abilities
The group is to advertise our events, and others, and  post handy tips and strategies on. It is not a page that we offer support via message.

IF YOU NEED TO BUS TO US FROM CENTRAL IPSWICH PLEASE FIND INFO ON BUS TIMES HERE

https://www.ipswichbuses.co.uk/timetables/ipswich/5/

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Privacy Policy 

The Data Protection Act 2018 controls how your personal information is used by organisations, businesses or the Government. 

The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

Everyone responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles. They must make sure the information is: 

  • used fairly, lawfully and transparently 

  • used for specified, explicit purposes 

  • used in a way that is adequate, relevant and limited to only what is necessary 

  • accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date 

  • kept for no longer than is necessary 

  • handled in a way that ensures appropriate security, including protection against unlawful or unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction or damage 

There is stronger legal protection for more sensitive information, such as

  • race 

  • ethnic background 

  • political opinions 

  • religious beliefs 

  • trade union membership 

  • genetics 

  • biometrics (where used for identification) 

  • health 

  • sex life or orientation 

There are separate safeguards for personal data relating to criminal convictions and offences. 

Your rights 

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the right to find out what information the government and other organisations store about you. These include the right to

  • be informed about how your data is being used 

  • access personal data 

  • have incorrect data updated 

  • have data erased 

  • stop or restrict the processing of your data 

  • data portability (allowing you to get and reuse your data for different services) 

  • object to how your data is processed in certain circumstances 

You also have rights when an organisation is using your personal data for

  • automated decision-making processes (without human involvement) 

  • profiling, for example to predict your behaviour or interests 

1. What information we collect 
When you become a client, we request personal information about you such as your name, address, contact details, age, email address and alternative details such as a parent / carer if you are under 18 years old. You have the option to provide details of another person if they care and support you with your needs such as a partner if you want them to be contacted.  We require consent for anyone named on the client information form.  

We also ask about any diagnosis you may have or waiting an assessment for. 

Notes are made about your support sessions so that allocated staff can monitor progress and take over support sessions if your chosen support worker becomes unavailable. 
2. How we get your consent 
We will ask you to complete a client information form this will be emailed / posted to you if you have made contact with Neurodivergent Abilities asking for support.  

3. Who has access to your details 

Both directors and appointed CRB checked staff will have access to your file, all staff are Data protection trained and must follow staff policies that forbids them to open client files without being asked to do so. Failure to follow staff policies could result in disciplinary action.  

4. How we store data 

Data is stored in a personal file on a work only laptop that is password protected, at the end of each day laptops are locked away. 

5. Accessing your data. 

If you would like to access, update, or ask us to delete any personal information we have about you, register a complaint, or simply want more information please contact our Data Controller Officer at nd-abilities@outlook.com or by mail at: Neurodivergent Abilities 471 Foxhall Road Ipswich Suffolk IP3 8LW 
6. How long we hold your data 
We hold your data for the period of time we are supporting you should for any reason you chose to leave our support service we will delete any data we have on file. 

7. Disclosure 
We may disclose your personal information if we are required by law to do so or if you violate our Terms of Service. 

8. Safeguarding concerns 

We may pass your details on to social services should we have a safeguarding concern so that they can investigate the concern raised, 
9. Third Party Services 
Payment of invoices via bank transfer will involve a third party not covered under our privacy notice, or terms and conditions, please refer to your own banks policies and procedures / privacy notice. Please be aware that we are required to keep bookkeeping for a period of 6 years which may show payments from you. Directors will have access to this information and possibly an accountant working for Neurodivergent Abilities. Any third party working for Neurodivergent Abilities will be carefully accessed and must be following Data protection rules. 

10. Security 
To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry best practices to make sure it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed. 
11. Changes to this Privacy Policy 
We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time, so please review it frequently. Changes and clarifications will take effect immediately upon their posting on the website. If we make material changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated, so that you are aware of what information we collect, how we use it, and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it. 

12. What we are doing to comply with Data protection 
Staff are data protection trained and must keep up to date with the latest updates and changes to the Data Protection Act.  

We keep policies and procedures up to date and ensure all staff are familiar with them and made aware of any updates. 
We document the compliance of third-party providers by reviewing contracts to ensure they comply with Data Protection. 

We supply staff with work only laptops that are password protected. 
For more information contact the main office via nd-abilities@outlook.com 

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