Autism Alliance hosts Labour Party fringe event on neuroinclusion
On 29th September the Autism Alliance UK hosted Bee Neuroinclusive Too, a fringe event at this year’s Labour Party Conference, following a successful initial event last year. The focus of the event was neuroinclusion in the workplace - enabling and supporting neurodivergent people to thrive and contribute in employment - and the positive work being taken forward in Greater Manchester and London with direct leadership at Mayoral level.
The event set out to spotlight and celebrate this work, positioning neuroinclusion as the basis for a national movement for change, and as a positive contrast to many of the current trends in policy and public affairs.
When we are neuroinclusive, we accept and understand difference in all ways; we acknowledge that difference can be non-visible, and can be about things many of us take for granted, including how we communicate and how we respond to our environment.
Being neuroinclusive means moving away from distrust and disbelief towards respect, curiosity and empathy, recognising the validity of everyone’s individual experience, and embracing difference as something wonderful and valuable.
In this way, neuroinclusion is a symbol of hope, and points to an even bigger idea: that everyone in society has basic human needs, and that when these needs are recognised and met whether in employment, education, healthcare or across society, outcomes improve and long-term costs should fall.
Against this backdrop, we heard powerful testimony and advocacy from a brilliant set of speakers.
Dr Shirley Woods-Gallagher, Executive Director, New Bridge Group, who told her story as an autistic adult in a leadership position, and showed how her advocacy has been the driving force behind the Bee Neuroinclusive campaign in Greater Manchester and the development of a new neuroinclusion Code of Practice for GM employers.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, who set out his full commitment to neuroinclusion and outlined its importance both socially and economically at a challenging time for the country. Andy also confirmed that the Greater Manchester Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice, which will be part of the GM Good Employment Charter, will be launched on 10th October.
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business, London, and Dan Harris, Founder, Neurodiversity in Business, who spotlighted the work moving forward in London to encourage neuroinclusive employment, and showed how neuroinclusion is a driver of growth and a sighting point for excellent businesses.
With Greater Manchester and London leading from the front, there is an opportunity to build out this focus and commitment to other Mayoral combined authorities, and we look forward to follow-up work leading into 2026.
Update: The Greater Manchester Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice has now been launched and can be found here.