For more than a decade Dominic Burke’s severe food anxiety has disrupted his life. ‘Food fear’ has resulted in missed family celebrations, increased social isolation, spoiled career opportunities, and negatively affected his physical and mental health.
But in the past year, Dominic has attended a monthly group that supports those with neurodivergent conditions. He said: “Instead of feeling the world is against me, I have been given hope and help and feel a lot better about life.”
Michelle Mackin is an expert in severe mental illness and learning disabilities working with Bury GP Federation and supporting local GP practices. She established the neurodiversity group, ‘Different Minds, One Community’, which marks its one-year anniversary in September.
It is estimated that one in seven people – approximately 15% of the UK population – are neurodivergent. According to the NHS, a neurodivergent individual’s brain processes, learns, or behaves differently from the societal ‘norm’ (neurotypical) and conditions include, but are not limited to, Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dyspraxia and Tourette’s Syndrome.*
In her role as a care co-ordinator across Prestwich GP practices, reviewing patients’ needs and creating personalised plans to provide people with co-ordinated care and support across health and care services, Michelle recognised the increasing need for a neurodiversity group.
She said: “With first-hand experience of neurodiversity within my family, I understand the struggles facing those with multiple co-occurring differences who don’t fit into ‘one neurodivergent box.’ Knowing where to go to for help can be overwhelming. I wanted to bring everything together – basically a hub for advice and a safe space to meet. Somewhere which could also provide help for the families, carers and friends of those living with neurodivergent conditions.
“Supported by the social prescribing team which works across Bury’s GP practices, plus community groups offering help and practical advice, our group provides people with the chance to meet, mingle, share their stories and learn from each other.”
Dominic said: “I am on the autism spectrum, and the group has introduced me to opportunities to support my mental and physical health and my search for work. I’ve accessed classes including creative writing, meditation, exercise, and music therapy at Prestwich’s Creative Living Centre, where I also had CV guidance too. The group has given me somewhere to go and meet other people in smaller groups, know I will be supported, and get advice.”
For Maxine Ackerley, the group which meets at The Woodthorpe, Bury Old Road in Prestwich has been “a God send.” A mother to children with neurodivergence, Maxine has also faced her own health challenges and says the support and advice has been “incredible.”
She added: “Neurodivergent children can be as wonderful, and frustrating, as neurotypical children, but it can be challenging for parents and children to navigate life when brains are ‘wired differently.’ Trying to understand and access behavioural, sensory or emotional help to provide your child with the best opportunities in life can be frustrating, exhausting, and very lonely.
“Being able to receive reassurance and advice at the group sessions – and outside meeting times – is fantastic. It has reduced my stress and panic as I know I’m in safe hands.
“Meeting other parents and carers and being able to share my experience as a mother of older children with learning differences, has also helped me. Every difference is different and should be celebrated. This group gives you somewhere to come and be heard and helped.”
The group ‘Different Minds, One Community’ meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 1:30pm-3:00pm at The Woodthorpe, Bury Old Road, Prestwich M25 0EG.
For further information, please contact Michelle Mackin, Learning Disabilities/Severe Mental Illness Care Co-ordinator via Bury GP Federation via [email protected]
*https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/embracing-neurodiversity-workplace