In collaboration with Pathways, we embarked on a mission to address a significant challenge: neurodivergent students often face confidence issues and systemic barriers that hinder their education and career pathways.
We believe everyone has something special to offer and an important story to tell.
What began as a conversation as a team about our own experiences with neurodivergence evolved into a two-part documentary series and a transformative work experience programme.
This is the story of how we used the art of video storytelling to spark conversations, ideas, and action.
In the summer of 2023, Dan and Eleanor were discussing the difficulties of navigating education and career paths in a neurotypical world. This sparked a partnership with Pathways to create a hybrid work experience programme for Year 10 neurodivergent students.
Originally, the plan was to film a documentary about neurodiverse people in the world of work. However, true inclusivity means letting the participants lead. When we met the students, they revealed a harsh truth: they were currently facing a lack of understanding and support in their GCSE years and felt that “rarely anything has changed” since we were in school.
The project was designed to give these students tools and confidence, but the growth we witnessed was outstanding.
A prime example of this transformation was Jasmine.
Initially, Jasmine was too anxious to join the studio but through the work experience giving the students creative freedom, she became a confident advocate. Jasmine went on to share her story directly with educational leaders, proving that when given a platform, these students can dismantle the barriers holding them back.
- Professor Rachael Thomson (Chair of the Pathways Steering Board and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education & Student Experience) at Loughborough University.
Following the success of the first film, it became clear that this mission was not over. The project’s success sparked part two, focusing on the crucial transition from the supportive environment of school into post-16 education and careers.
We identified that too many young Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) students get “left behind in learning” during this transition. We wanted to confront this challenge head-on to ensure no one falls through the gaps.
If Jasmine’s story defined the first chapter, Yorick’s story definitely defined the second.
We sat down with Yorick, a former Maplewell student, to discuss his transition into higher education. Yorick successfully transitioned to Loughborough College with the support from Daniella and Maplewell school, serving as a perfect example of what happens when a learner is empowered to find their own way.
We held exclusive screenings for both parts at DeMonfort University and Coalville CAN where the discussions were electric! We were genuinely blown away by the positive feedback and the commitment from our audience of change-makers.
The energy at both screenings confirmed a crucial need for a mindset change. We need to help parents, educators, and employers focus on what neurodivergent people CAN give to the world, rather than leading with fear and risk. This shift is the game-changer for creating positive opportunities.
We invite you to watch both parts of the 'Neurodivergent Pathways' series.
Whether you are an educator, an employer or a student, see the journey for yourself and help us turn these missions into impactful, resonant stories.
See the journey for yourself and join the conversation.
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