As many my age, my journey with accepting and understanding my neurodiversity has been a long and continual one.
Finding support in the workspace can be difficult and knowing how much to share and when is a daunting task, as the fear of negative repercussions is still a factor, due to many companies offering lip service to diversity and inclusion in workplaces, but doing little to integrate these into practical solutions.
Due to a long wait list (up to 5 years) on the NHS to be formally diagnosed with ADHD, I didn’t feel it was right to label myself without an official answer from healthcare professionals, and as such spent a large part of 2023 unsure how to broach the conversation with my manager. However, due to my mental and physical health being severely affected daily with my ADHD, I decided last year that I should make my manager aware of how much I was struggling and how my neurodiversity was impacting me.
I was completely in the dark about what I was even asking for - I just needed it to be known and start from there. I was extremely fortunate that my manager was very supportive and asked me what he can do to help - that made me realise I needed to have confidence in knowing what support I needed and that I needed to be my own advocate for any needed accommodations.
The accommodations I was given and felt I could continually monitor to discuss if they needed changing were an incredible help and have made me feel more settled. When I am having a particularly bad day, I now know I don’t need to suffer in silence, and that my manager will have an awareness of what may be causing a perceived lack of organisation and focus.
Last year, I knew that it was time for a change in my role, and I could not have asked for more support from Wilmington as a whole and managers and colleagues in assisting me move within Bond Solon. I am so excited to be entering my sixth year at Wilmington, and to go forward feeling confident in my personal contribution to its continued success.
My experience is something I hope everyone has, but as the new Neurodiversity Champion, I am extremely enthusiastic to move forward in supporting the community, ensuring that everyone within Wilmington understands the complexities around neurodiversity and the support that they can offer all colleagues and friends/ family, and that those who feel they would benefit from extra support and clarity know where to look and who to speak to.
"At Wilmington we recognise that everyone has unique strengths, needs, and working styles. We are focused on building an environment where individuals can thrive by understanding what enables them to perform at their best. This approach benefits everyone, not just those with specific needs, by fostering a culture of inclusion, flexibility, and empowerment. By encouraging open conversations about how we can support and get the best out of one another, we create a workplace where everyone feels comfortable sharing what helps them succeed.”
Inclusion & Sustainability Advisor, Wilmington plc