Neurodiversity - I Am Dylan
I Am Dylan are mental wellbeing groups for neurodiverse people
Providing safe and inclusive spaces to socialise, find friendship and peer support.
Providing weekly drop-in sessions, walking groups, social activities and board game sessions for people who may otherwise be hidden.
I am Dylan is an important support in a world that many neurodiverse people can find challenging to navigate.
Our spaces and activities are welcoming and accessible, creating backdrops where people who are neurodiverse (diagnosed or undiagnosed) can come and be themselves, however that looks or feels; we’re ready for it!
Alongside direct support with people, I am Dylan seeks to inform and equip those who may want to pursue a diagnosis.
Providing information and guidance about assessment and diagnosis pathways has helped many people to make informed decisions about their next steps.
I am Dylan in numbers last year
Have benefitted from peer support at our new drop in sessions
Board games played with smiles, laughs and moments of friendly rivalry!
Role play sessions have been enjoyed.
One person has been supported into their first employment!
A core aspect of our I am Dylan work is to increase awareness in other services around accessibility for people who are neurodiverse.
We support partner agencies to adjust their approach to create more accessible services. This means that many people in our community are being met with more responsive experiences.
Through I Am Dylan, we have continued to share our learning with professionals and, just as importantly, to learn from them. These exchanges have strengthened trust and deepened our partnerships.
For two people involved in the project, this connection has been life-changing. After building confidence through their engagement with us and knowing their needs would be understood and respected, they felt ready to take the next step. Both have now accessed counselling support and their journeys reflect the power of feeling seen, heard, and safe.
I am Dylan stories...
At Empowerment, we recognise that every journey is unique, and we’re proud to support individuals in achieving their personal goals.
We celebrate each step forward, no matter how big or small.
Alex's story
When Alex first attended our peer support group, they were visibly overwhelmed. As a neurodivergent person trying to cope with anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and long-term unemployment, joining a new group felt daunting. They often sat quietly, avoiding eye contact and remaining on the sidelines of conversation or activities.