Bury St Edmunds businesses invited to learn more about neurodiversity

A groundbreaking workshop has been launched to help town centre businesses understand neurodiversity.

The workshop is a collaboration between mental health wellbeing company, Three Eggs Training, and Bury St Edmunds Business Improvement District (Our Bury St Edmunds).

It’s aimed at helping town centre business such as shops, bars, restaurants, hairdressers, theatres and dentists, understand neurodiverse conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD and autism.

The idea is not only to boost awareness in the workplace but also create a more ‘neurodiverse friendly town’ for residents and visitors.

Louise Newby, director of learning at Three Eggs Training, said: “The workshop is for anyone who wants to understand more about neurodiversity.

“This includes how neurodiversity impacts individuals, changes that can be made to make environments more accommodating, and how interactions with neurodiverse individuals can be improved.

“Neurodiverse conditions can cause people anxiety, when people are forced to live in a neuro-typical society.

“A shop with bright lights and loud music can be challenging for example, or perhaps the way information is printed or presented.

“The workshop will also help staff to understand what to look out for, and how they can help if, for instance, someone has an autistic child who is having difficulties.

“A number of businesses have already introduced changes and in many ways, Bury is ahead of the curve.”

The first workshop, which is free for BID members, is being held at the Bury St Edmunds & Farmers Club, on February 5, between 9.30am and 1pm.

Already 15 of the 20 places have been booked.

Louise added: “We use activities to help people understand what it’s like to be dyslexic for example, alongside videos and information.

“We are seeing a lot more organisations becoming aware of neurodiversity, the same way they did with mental health three or four year ago. It is our most powerful workshop in terms of the impact on people.”

Three Eggs works with businesses, schools, sports teams and public sector organisations and provides training courses covering a range of topics including mental health, neurodiversity, menopause, dementia, pregnancy, safeguarding and bereavement.

Mike Kirkham, Bury St Edmunds Improvement District business support manager, said: “We’ve had such a positive response, as I know our businesses aim to provide the best experience possible for their customer.

“Our town centre has so many great qualities. My hope is that becoming neurodiverse friendly will become one of these.”

BID members can contact mike.kirkham@ourburystedmunds.com for details.