About us
Neurodivergent Safe Space is a registered charity based in Southend on sea, Essex; founded by Jo Richardson.
Having worked as an ND advocate in Southend since 2018 and living here as an ND adult with an ND child, it became increasingly clear to me that there was nowhere for ND teens and young adults to go when they were struggling with their mental health where they would be understood, supported, and given opportunities to socialise and meet other ND teens and young adults; a safe space where they could drop their mask, be themselves, and not feel judged or rejected; which is integral to the healing process with mental health.
If someone does not feel safe enough to be themselves and be able to voice how they are feeling, knowing that they will be understood and accepted, their protective barriers will prevent them from receiving or accepting the right support; leaving them feeling more misunderstood, more isolated, and that they will never be able to heal.
We began in February 2023 as a weekly community club for ND teens and young adults who are struggling with mental health difficulties. We also go out for activities such as indoor rock climbing, going to the beach, visiting the animals at the zoo, going to the woods, and so much more!
As we grew, we could see the difference that just a weekly club brought to those that attended; the feedback we received from them was so touching, it made me cry!
It, quite quickly, became clear that there is a high demand for explicitly ND mental health support in teens and young adults in this area, and that there are no services that are specifically for this demographic.
So the decision to become a charity was made. By becoming a charity, we will be able to do so much more to help and support ND teens and young adults, as well as provide training for parents and professionals that will increase knowledge and understanding in order to better support ND teens and young adults.
All Trustees and volunteers of Neurodivergent Safe Space are Neurodivergent themselves and have lived experience of mental health difficulties. We are firm believers in the phrase;
'Nothing about us, without us'
Which means that if something (a group/service/training/etc.) is based on a specific part of the population (in our case, Neurodivergents), then it should have individuals from that demographic involved in the planning or running of it. This is to ensure that the information/support/service/training provided is accurate to the lived experience of that demographic, rather than based on clinical views made from an outside perspective; if you want to understand how we think, feel, process, and experience the world, we should be involved in what you are told.
