Your voice matters
Every day, grassroots groups and community organisations see, hear, and experience what’s really happening for neurodivergent people and their families in East Berkshire. Too often, that insight doesn’t reach decision-makers or gets lost along the way.
The Neurodivergent Voices Network is here to change that.
It’s part of the new Partnership Plan for Neurodiversity, led by NHS Frimley, bringing together services, professionals, and communities across Slough, Bracknell Forest, and Windsor & Maidenhead. Our shared aim: to improve support for neurodivergent people of all ages.
Together, we’re building a community where the knowledge and lived experience of local groups leads the conversation — and where every insight, big or small, can shape how support is designed and delivered.
Key info
- Join the network here
- The full version of the Partnership Plan will be available here shortly
- Read the summary of the plan
Who can join?
This is an open invitation for:
- Organisations and community groups – large or small, volunteer-led or established. You don’t have to be neurodiversity-specific, just connected to people whose voices need to be heard. Multiple staff, volunteers or project workers can take part; we’ll just ask you to name a lead contact for updates.
- Individuals with lived or first-hand experience – there will be opportunities to connect through local roadshows (starting November 2025 and February 2026), where people can share their insight and feed into the network. To be kept updated about the roadshows, please drop us an email at [email protected]
Why you or your organistion should take part
Too often, feedback is collected but never reaches the people making decisions. This network changes that by creating clear, two-way communication between communities, organisations, and the system.
By taking part, you’ll help to:
- Amplify voices – both individual lived experience and the insights of grassroots organisations
- Shape services – influence how the new Partnership Plan is delivered so it’s inclusive and relevant
- Make information clearer – translate system language into updates everyone can understand
- Model inclusion – by involving neurodivergent staff, volunteers, and community groups
- Raise issues – from everyday insights to urgent challenges, through open drop-ins and conversations
This is more than a consultation. It’s about building long-term relationships, growing confidence, and making change feel possible — and shared.
Benefits of joining the network
As a Voice Associate, you and/or members of your organisation can:
- Take part in events and webinars – connect, learn, and share experiences
- Apply for micro-grants – up to £400 to support grassroots projects and initiatives to gather feedback from communities
- Access resource guides – practical tools, templates, and signposting in one place
- Receive video updates – short, accessible updates on key developments
- Contribute to insight reports – share what’s happening locally so it reaches decision-makers
- Showcase your work – highlight projects and lived-experience initiatives from your organisation
- Join informal drop-ins – relaxed spaces for conversation and peer support
- Use online community spaces – including a Padlet board for resources and a WhatsApp group for quick updates
Ready to add your voice?
This network is built on the insight of local groups like yours. By joining, you’ll not only access support and resources – you’ll help shape a system that truly listens to communities. It only takes a few minutes to sign up and you can choose how and when to get involved.
Click here to join the Neurodivergent Voices Network
Together, we can make support for neurodivergent people in East Berkshire more inclusive, responsive and rooted in real experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who runs the network?
The network is run by a Community Coordination Panel made up of:
- Brighter Futures Together (lead organisation)
- Parenting Special Children
- The Autism Group
- Together As One
These organisations bring deep community connection:
- Brighter Futures Together is a not-for-profit organisation led by a neurodivergent CEO, with a team rooted in lived experience.
- Parenting Special Children and The Autism Group were both founded by parent-carers of neurodivergent children. Grounded in insights gathered from families, these two organisations have 30 years’ operational experience between them.
- Together As One brings strong expertise in youth voice and equity led change.
The panel manages the network, shares updates from NHS Frimley and ensures community understanding and learning feeds directly into the partnership plan.
How much time will being a Voice Associate take up?
It’s designed to be flexible. You won’t be expected to attend regular meetings or submit long reports. You can choose the opportunities that work for you and your team, whether that’s joining an event, sharing insight, or contributing to a specific piece of work.
You can take part as much or as little as suits your capacity, nothing is compulsory
What can the £400 micro grant be used for?
Micro grants can support activities that engage your community around neurodiversity and link to the priorities in the NHS Partnership Plan for Neurodiversity. This could include creative projects, workshops, events, or other ways of gathering and sharing insight from your community.
We’ll contact network members when micro grants are available, based on our schedule of work linked to the Partnership Plan.
Are there other grants available?
No, but compensation will be available if you contribute significant chunks of time to any additional small projects we may decide to run (such as producing resources, guides or extra insight sessions). Compensation will be paid directly to organisations (or in the form of vouchers for individual Voice Associates not affiliated to an organisation).
This is about supporting inclusion from within – ensuring lived experience shapes the work.
Is training provided?
Yes. We offer short, engaging webinars on inclusive engagement, co-production and creative voice methods.
What support will we get from the network?
- A named contact for guidance
- Templates, tools and resource guides
- Webinars and learning sessions
- Support with any grant-funded activity
- Connection via Padlet and WhatsApp (if you wish)
Do we need to have taken part in similar projects before?
No. This is about real voices, not polished projects. If your organisation is trusted by your community, you have something valuable to share.
Does our organisation need to focus specifically on neurodivergent people?
No. Many organisations support neurodivergent individuals by default, even if it’s not their main focus. As long as you’re connected to people whose voices matter in this work, you’re welcome to take part in the network.
What if I have a concern or complaint about a specific community or statutory service?
This network is about sharing insights to shape improvement, not a route for raising individual complaints.
If you or someone you support has a concern about a particular service, here are the best ways to raise it:
- NHS services – contact the service directly or go through PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service): www.nhs.uk/pals
- Social care or education – each local authority has its own complaints process, usually available through their website
- Schools or colleges – raise concerns directly with the school (starting with the SENCO or headteacher), then escalate via the governing body or local authority if needed
- Voluntary organisations or charities – contact the organisation directly or check their complaints policy, which should be on their website