Neurodiverse Youth - Bridging Minds and Workplaces

An interactive, in-person workshop designed for neurodivergent young people, their parents, and carers, exploring how neurodiversity is experienced in workplaces and what opportunities and support are available.

Date: 07th November 2025

Duration: 11:00 - 14:30 [Refreshments and Lunch will be provided]

Venue: October Books community space (at the back of the bookshop), 189 Portswood Rd, Portswood, Southampton SO17 2NF (how to get to the venue [click here])

This is a FREE event.

Pre-booking is required to help us accommodate catering needs and any specific participant requirements.

Please register your place by 01st November 2025 at 17:00.

The full event program is available below.

What about this event and who is this for:

The event is designed to offer a welcoming and supportive space for neurodivergent young people, along with their parents and carers. Joined by university academics and industry professionals, we will explore ways to not just manage, but truly thrive in workplaces. The event is designed for thinking about post-16 transitions.

Young people are welcome to bring a parent/carer for support, or to attend alone.

[Due to space limitation, we kindly ask that all participants order their own tickets, including parents/carers.]

What is included:

It will start with some warm-up time (30 minutes) when all participants can share their stories about working and studying as a neurodivergent as well as any other stories about neurodiversity such as getting diagnosed, thriving with neurodiversity. We will provide a safe space for sharing, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so.

Following this is a 60-minutes live discussion on empowering neurodivergent young people at work and higher education with the guest speakers including one neurodivergent young adult, one neurodivergent entrepreneur, an HR manager, and a learning and employability expert. Researchers from Southampton and Bournemouth universities will also share fresh, research evidence-based insights on neurodiversity at work.

The final element is an interactive exercise where participants will explore the working strengths that neurodivergent employees bring to the workplace, collaborate with business speakers to identify challenges and solutions, and co-design ideas for truly inclusive workplace. This session will put neurodivergent employees centre stage, recognising their contributions, protecting against discrimination and stereotyping, and providing meaningful opportunities to develop.

About the guest speakers:

Dan Ware – A successful neurodivergent, Founder of many businesses and ventures, a multi-award winning entrepreneur.

Katie Owlett - Head of Talent Acquisition at De Vere hotels.

Nathan McKeown – Final year student at University of Southampton Business School

Kerri Gray and Robert Jolliffe- Student Disability Support Coordinator and Specialist Practitioner

About the event team:

Dr Jane Parry - Associate Professor of Work at University of Southampton Business School and Employment and UK Parliament Thematic Research Lead on Business, Economics and Trade.

Dr Trang Gardner Vu – Lecturer of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at University of Southampton Business School

Dr Brian Hracs – Associate Professor of Human Geography within the School of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Southampton.

Dr Yumei Yang – Principal Lecturer of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at the Bournemouth University Business School.

Dr Quynh Nguyen – Lecturer of Hospitality Management at the Bournemouth University Business School.

Additional Information:

Please use this link to share any specific requirements to help us support your participation, such as anyone who will attend with you, and to tell us why you’d like to attend or any other enquiries – this helps us better understand our audience and tailor the event to your needs and interests.