The Neurodiversity and Wellbeing Conference on Thursday 26 June at Walsall Football Club will look at improving opportunities and systems to support the wellbeing of Walsall residents, including neurodiverse communities.
Walsall Council’s Public Health team undertook a suicide audit in 2022. It highlighted neurodiversity as a key theme, and it is now a focus of the Walsall Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2029. The strategy also identified a need to address gaps in wellbeing services for people who are neurodivergent.
The day’s conference will look at current data and insight as well as focusing on themes across workplace, mental health, education, culture and the criminal justice system.
It will enable attendees to share their experiences and ideas on working together to improve the quality of life by creating an inclusive and supportive environment for neurodivergent individuals, as well as ensuring that the Suicide Prevention Strategy addresses the needs and challenges faced by communities.
“ This conference is a great opportunity to bring together organisations and individuals from different areas to explore neurodiversity and wellbeing.
With our local partners, we want to focus on improving mental wellbeing for all our residents through increasing awareness and ensure they have the support they need to be healthy and well.
We have already been doing some fantastic work with some of our groups and organisations across the borough to support the wellbeing of our neurodiverse communities and we are ambitious to develop this further as we hold this important conference in June. “
Over the last year, the council has supported five voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver neurodiversity projects in Walsall. These have included friendship and support groups, holistic support, advocacy, counselling and signposting. Many of these projects have supported parents and carers with children and wider families. Local organisations and services will be attending on the day to talk about the support they offer and showcase their projects.
Tickets have now sold out. To join the waiting list, visit Eventbrite.
The Public Health team would also like to invite anyone interested in presenting or leading workshops at the conference who works with neurodiverse communities or has lived experience, particularly related to mental wellbeing. To find out more, please email: MWWalsall@walsall.gov.uk.
