Our Story
Our goal is to create a world where neurodivergent young adults can find a supportive community, where their weaknesses are embraced and their strengths nurtured, empowering them to achieve success on their own terms.
Different Thinkers is built on a strong foundation of neurodiversity. Our team comprises of dedicated staff, board members and advisors, either identifies as neurodivergent or has direct experience supporting neurodiverse individuals. This lived experience gives us a deep, authentic understanding of both the challenges and strengths within the neurodivergent community. We believe that society should welcome neurodiversity, seeing it as a unique and valuable aspect of human experience, rather than as individual deficits that need to be 'cured.'
We’re Different Thinkers, a support charity.
Our vision
Our vision is a world where neurodiverse young people aren’t just included - but celebrated. By embracing differences and championing strengths, we can empower individuals to build fulfilling careers and achieve success on their own terms.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide meaningful support, opportunities, and guidance to individuals facing challenges in both entrepreneurship, self-employment, and traditional career paths.
Our Goals
We’ll only achieve our vision by helping neurodiverse individuals in overcoming employment obstacles and changing employers' perceptions and recruitment practices. So that’s what were are going to do. Well probably get side tracked. We're neurodivergent, after all! Rest assured, we are also laser-focused when it counts.
We're working towards:
Ensuring that neurodivergent individuals have employment rates comparable to non-disabled individuals (8 in 10)
Decreasing mental health issues
Reducing addiction and incarceration rates
Achieving the same life expectancy as neurotypical individuals
Our people
In addition, we have a dedicated mentoring program specifically for neurodiverse individuals still in school or university. This program aims to provide valuable guidance and support by connecting them with professional mentors who will share their personal success stories and experiences.
These mentors will visit schools and universities to inspire and educate students on how they achieved success in their professions, sharing the tools, tricks, and strategies they utilised along the way. By highlighting the challenges, they faced and how they overcame them, the mentors will instil confidence in children from a young age, emphasising that diversity can indeed lead to success.
Through this program, young neurodiverse individuals will be encouraged to embrace their unique traits and talents, recognising that their differences can be a source of strength and achievement.