Neurodivergent peer mentoring support for adults in Gloucestershire
Unboxed
The UNBOXED Peer Mentoring project follows a two-year pilot project called Zig/Zag which was designed to explore and evaluate the impact of one-to-one peer support for neurodivergent adults in Gloucestershire. It is being funded by The Julie Rausing Trust and is being delivered by Inclusion Gloucestershire.
What we offer
We pair people who are discovering their own neurodivergence with a volunteer mentor who has their own lived experience of identifying as neurodivergent, to work together for up to 6 months. People can choose to meet face-to-face or online.
Mentors can offer solidarity and empathetic support as the mentee explores and reflects upon this important aspect of their self-identity.
We also provide opportunities for neurodivergent people who are further along in their own journey to train as a mentor to support others and develop their knowledge, skills, and networks associated with the neurodivergent community.
What we can’t offer
- Home Visits.
- Personal contact details of our volunteers.
- Counselling or therapy
- Specialised Mental Health support.
What is Neurodivergence?
Neurodivergent people perceive, process, and/or interact with the world around them in a way that often differs from “expected societal norms”.
This project is open to those who either have a diagnosis or who self-identify.
This may include (but is not limited to)
- Autism
- ADD / ADHD
- AUDHD (ADHD & Autism combined)
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Dyscalculia
- Challenges with personal organisation / time management / decision making,
- Challenges with communication and understanding of others (and vice-versa!)
Our approach to peer mentoring
The approach is friendly, user-led and non-judgemental, so there’s is no expectation for mentors to have all the answers, provide solutions or take on the role of a professionally trained counsellor, therapist or support worker. Mentors and mentees are on an equal footing. Mentors may be able to identify with the mentee’s current journey towards self-acceptance.
The project is not to intended to replace other forms of support that are already available for neurodivergent people in Gloucestershire (including existing peer-led support groups).
We ask similar questions of our prospective mentors and mentees, to try and get a good understanding of their own experience of neurodivergence, personal needs and preferences to help with pairing.
Our Values
CURIOSITY – Being open-minded and non-judgemental and keen to learn more about different perspectives on neurodiversity, including the many ways that we each exist in and move through the world.
ACCEPTANCE – Understanding your own self-identity and embracing others’ can help towards accepting yourself and your own neurodiversity.
CONNECTION – Maintaining and balancing professional boundaries with empathy, understanding, kindness and respect.
How can I get involved?
For more information about becoming a mentor or mentee, please click on the buttons below.
If you are unsure whether you’d be better suited to becoming a mentor or a mentee you’re welcome to contact us by email to discuss this further: unboxed@inclusion-glos.org