My first career was as a professional ballet dancer. Looking back, ballet was the perfect tool to manage my ADHD, so as a child, it was never an issue. The structure and routine of barre work, which always begins a ballet class, provided the consistency I thrived on. The patterns were the same, day in and day out, they gave me an outlet for my energy and focus and a space to be creative.
I attended class every evening after school, and when I joined the Royal Ballet School, my world became even more structured with a fixed timetable of classes, the same teacher, and the same studio. Our goals were clear: to master 32 fouettés or extend our legs to a specific height. Within those clear parameters, I knew quite literally where I stood.
When I stopped dancing and lost those clear boundaries things became more challenging. It took me over 30 years, countless jobs (in which I was often very successful, though rarely happy), and several broken relationships to pinpoint the root cause.
Without realising it, my favourite phrases screamed my ADHD from the rooftops: "I’m an all-or-nothing girl" or "Oh no, I’m nil by mouth this week." They perfectly captured the boom-or-bust cycle that shaped my life. Ironically, while my behaviours likely masked the condition, these words revealed more than I intended. Unconsciously, I was expressing what I couldn’t fully understand at the time.
My real understanding of neurodivergent conditions began with my son’s diagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia during primary school. At the time, support was limited, and the goal was often to encourage him to fit into a neurotypical system. Thankfully, working with insightful professionals taught me to see the strengths associated with his ADHD and adapt behaviours and strategies to ensure the fit was comfortable for everyone. Twenty years later, he’s thriving, and his journey inspired me to seek my diagnosis. It’s been a challenging but immensely rewarding adventure, shaping my passion for supporting others like us.
My diagnosis in. my late 50s was a relief but also a challenge to accept, for me and those around me. Many questioned its accuracy, which is funny; no one doubts a GP diagnosing diabetes or arthritis, yet ADHD seems to invite scepticism.
When I started my business (Inspire Norfolk) in 2012, I’d been managing my undiagnosed ADHD successfully for some time. Neurodivergence wasn’t at the forefront of my mind, because I was coping, it felt like it was out of sight, out of mind. Consequently, it didn’t feature in the initial business model. I had a clear and simple mission: to bridge the gap between businesses seeking apprentices and young people stepping into the professional world for the first time. However, I found myself naturally drawn to supporting businesses and young people with neurodivergent conditions, it felt like I had found my tribe and if I didn't find them, they sought me out!
Over the years, we gained invaluable insight into workplace challenges faced by people with a range of neurodivergent conditions. This, combined with deeply personal experiences, led us to evolve into what we are today; Neurominds.
Whether its empowering young adults entering the workplace, guiding seasoned professionals through challenges like executive functioning or sensory processing, or helping families find balance amid their chaos, our approach is tailored to the individual. I believe in celebrating the unique perspectives and strengths that neurodivergent conditions bring and helping others recognise their own incredible talents and value.
Neurodivergent individuals both need and deserve tailored support to thrive in work and beyond, so we are offering a range of services, including access to fully qualified coaches, support workers, and job aides; guidance on navigating the application process for AtW; employer awareness training; and workplace audits to help ensure environments are neurodivergent-friendly. Additionally we will develop our offering over time with services we're already working on and other based on feedback from the neurodivergent community. We’re already building a library of practical support tools designed to empower and inspire. Everything we do is grounded in evidence-based practices, blending time-honoured strategies with groundbreaking theories to offer fresh, effective solutions.
Neurominds reflects my personal journey and a renewed commitment to creating meaningful change. I keep reminding myself that it's never too late to embrace your differences and with the appropriate support you can achieve remarkable things. Together, let’s shape a world that not only accommodates neurodiversity but celebrates it.
