Mind Matters

20/12/2025

Fully funded mental health and neurodiversity training for Barnsley SMEs

Mind Matters is delighted to be working in partnership with Barnsley Council, to deliver fully funded training for managers and employees in mental health, neurodiversity, and wellbeing, free of charge to based in , South Yorkshire.

Mental Health Training:
The i-act programme is one of the UK’s leading evidence-based and accredited mental health and wellbeing programmes for understanding and managing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

I-ACT thought about the different training needs of different workplace roles and developed complimentary courses for both managers and for employees/front-line workers:

i-act Course for Managers (online and in-person options available)
i-act Course for Employees/Front-line Workers (online and in-person options available)

Neurodiversity training:
Mind Matters will be delivering the following neurodiversity training, designed to increase your understanding of neurodivergence and help you learn how to support neurodivergent individuals and unlock their potential:

Thrive Neurodiversity in the workplace aware webinar – 1.5 hour webinar

Thrive Neurodiversity in the Workplace for Managers Workshop

If you would like to access places for your business, further details can be found here https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/business-information/health-and-safety-at-work/be-well-work-employee-health-and-wellbeing/

19/12/2025

Thank you Speakers Collective for sharing ‘The Umbrella Picker’ our founder’s lived experience story

17/12/2025

🌟 Thrive: Neurodiversity in the Workplace Aware Webinar

Are you ready to shift the narrative from deficit to strength?

Join us for our Thrive: Neurodiversity in the Workplace Aware, a transformative webinar designed to raise awareness, equip professionals, leaders, and changemakers with the insight and empathy, to foster truly inclusive workplaces.

🧠 What to Expect
• Understand neurodiversity through a strengths-based lens
• Explore the lived experiences of Autistic and neurodivergent individuals
• Learn how to create psychologically safe, inclusive environments

🎯 Who Should Attend
HR professionals, line managers, MHFAiders, DSLs, DEI leads, and anyone committed to building neuroinclusive cultures.

💬 “This webinar doesn’t just raise awareness—it sparks transformation.”
Led by Jane McNeice, Autistic advocate, author, and Founder of Mind Matters, this session blends lived experience, professional insight, and creative warmth to challenge assumptions and inspire action.

📅 Upcoming Dates: https://www.mindmatterstraining.co.uk/training-calendar/online-training-course-calendar/

Let’s Thrive!

17/12/2025

The voices of Autistic people have been silenced for too long, some more so than others. Our stories mattered, and many remain unheard

17/12/2025

Imagine if we early identified and properly supported people with ADHD and Autism in childhood and into adulthood. This is not rocket science, surely! https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/half-of-people-arrested-in-london-may-have-undiagnosed-adhd-study-finds

Offering screening for neurodivergence to people detained by the police could help ensure access to appropriate support and fairer treatment in the criminal

15/12/2025

Thrive offers a robust and thoughtful approach to supporting neurodiversity in the workplace, aiming to shift the narrative from mere awareness to genuine inclusion and empowerment. https://www.mindmatterstraining.co.uk/thrive-neurodiversity-in-the-workplace-training/

Thrive offers a robust and thoughtful approach to supporting neurodiversity in the workplace, aiming to shift the narrative from mere awareness to genuine inclusion and empowerment. What Thrive Provides Thrive’s Neurodiversity In The Workplace training is designed to help organisations: Understand...

14/12/2025

"What child doesn’t like unwrapping a present? The excitement of what is in the beautifully wrapped gift. The feeling of anticipation as you peel back the paper or maybe you simply rip the paper off because you can’t wait to find out? Then once you discover that the gift is that perfect gift you have wanted for so long, you want to share it with those present.

They want to thank the person who gave it to them and give them a massive hug. They will then show everyone how this amazing toy works and hope they will play with them too. This feeling of excitement will be familiar to many of you reading this.

However, I can’t relate to that experience. When I was a child there was nothing worse than being given a gift in public. I still feel this today and will avoid opening any gifts in front of anyone.

If the present is wrapped in paper, I find it is hard to remove. It hurts my hands as I try to undo it. Once I got a paper cut on paper and I can still remember how painful that was.

I wish I knew what was inside it - I hate surprises even nice ones.

There are so many people watching who are expecting a particular reaction from me but I don’t know what that reaction should be.

What if the person that gave it to me wants to hug me when I say thank you? Their jumper looks itchy and their perfume is so strong it gives me a headache.

They will then expect me to show them how it works and might even want to play with my new toy. It will take me time to work out how it works and the feel of it. I need time on my own to process what has happened and get used to the new toy.

I can feel a meltdown coming on because there are so many emotions zooming around my head and I have lost control. Now I have ruined Christmas for everyone and that feeling of guilt will last for ages."

Written by Charlotte.

This is not an unusual feeling for an autistic child (or adult) and we have both seen it with our own sons. It isn’t because they are ungrateful, it is the overwhelming nature of all of the different emotions and feelings that they are experiencing whilst having an audience.

Excitement can so quickly tip over into sensory overload and meltdown. Containing that excitement is so hard and often impossible when you can't regulate your emotions or thoughts.

If your child would rather open presents on their own then let them. They will share their joy and excitement when the time is right for them. Small adjustments like this can make the world of difference to your child and to everyone else in the household.

12/12/2025

Mind Matters has had a fabulous night at the Doncaster Chamber Business Awards 2025!

11/12/2025

Our updated online training calendar is now live, featuring a rich lineup from October 2025 to January 2026. It includes Mental Health First Aid and refresher courses, neurodiversity workshops, and Su***de First Aid —all delivered via Zoom or Enabley.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s on offer https://www.mindmatterstraining.co.uk/training-calendar/online-training-course-calendar/

💡 Additional Info

Certification requires full attendance for MHFA courses.

5% discount available for students, volunteers, third sector orgs, and multi-bookings (proof required).

In-house training options (online or face-to-face) are also available upon request.

September 2025 to May 2026 (Online courses) DATE COURSE LENGTH OF COURSE LOCATION DELEGATE COST 4 sessions (morning): 6, 7, 13, 14 Jan 2026 9am-1.00pm GMT Online Mental Health First Aid (NOTE: Delegates MUST attend all sessions for certification) 12 hours over four sessions Enabley/Zoom £250 + VAT ...