The National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards 2025

From Highly Commended Finalist to Winners!

Neurodiverse Community CIC have won The People's Award (Team) for The National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards

Team, Neurodiverse Community Catterick

This team truly blew me away with their dedication, compassion, commitment, and strong community spirit. They work to ensure that individuals do not fall through the numerous gaps in the system, providing person-centred, tailored support to both those they serve and their families.

We are truly so grateful for this award and want to thank everyone who voted for us, works alongside us and supports us

Logo for the 2025 National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards with colorful text that says "HIGHLY COMMENDED" on a black background.

The Empowerment Awards 2026

The Empowerment Awards is the first awards ceremony dedicated to recognising assistance dogs, individuals with additional needs, organisations, and community change makers who are driving inclusion, amplifying lived experience, and creating real impact within the disabled community.

Neurodiverse Community CIC has been nominated for Community Group of the Year!

Lesley Collier has been nominated for Invisible Disability Personality of the Year!

Kirsty Northam has been nominated for Carer of the Year!

What an amazing way to start 2026!

Thank you Talks With M.S. and @theempowermentawards  

There are so many incredible nominees for these awards! If you would like to, you can vote for the finalists on the link below:

https://empowermentawards.org/voteforfinalist  


Award graphic for the Neurodiverse Community, featuring a colorful artistic brain illustration and text highlighting community recognition and empowerment.
A recognition award card with a photo of Lesley Collier, titled 'Invisible Disability Personality of the Year Nominee,' featuring black background with gold geometric design, and text indicating it's part of The Empowerment Awards.
Award certificate with a photo of Kirsty Northam, recognizing her as a 'Carer of the Year' nominee, featuring gold and black geometric design and the logo for The Empowerment Awards.

Celebrating Forces Families Awards 2026

An award badge with a purple and gold gradient background, stars, and text celebrating the 2026 Celebrating Forces Families Awards finalist.
Award announcement for the 2026 Celebrating Forces Families Awards, with a purple and gold starry background, stating 'Finalist, I'm a finalist' and a hashtag #2026CelebratingForcesFamilies.

Neurodiverse Community CIC has been nominated for the 2026 Celebrating Forces Families Awards in two categories:

Inspirational Adult Family Member Award

Military Family Social Enterprise Award

We’re also delighted to share that Lesley our Founder has received a nomination for Volunteer of the Year.

We’re honoured by the recognition, and even more grateful to everyone who contributes, refers, attends, shares, and champions neurodiversity within Forces families.

A digital graphic with a purple and blue gradient background decorated with gold and purple stars. It features text celebrating the 2026 Forces Families Awards, indicating a nomination, with the phrase 'I'm nominated!' and a hashtag #2026CELEBRATINGFORCESFAMILIES.
A graphic celebrating the 2026 Forces Families Awards nominations with a purple and blue background, gold and white text, and star decorations.

Celebrating Forces Families Awards – Finalists Announcement

We are incredibly proud to share some amazing news! 2 Finalist position

Founder Recognition

Congratulations to Lesley Collier, Founder of NeuroDiverse Community CIC, who has been selected as a finalist in the Volunteer category at this year’s Celebrating Forces Families (CFF) Awards.

This recognition reflects years of tireless advocacy, lived-experience leadership, and unwavering commitment to supporting neurodivergent children, young people, adults, and their families—particularly within the Armed Forces community.

Organisation Recognition

We are also thrilled to announce that NeuroDiverse Community CIC has been selected as a finalist in the Military Family Social Enterprise category.

This nomination recognises the impact of our work, our community-led approach, and our mission to create inclusive, accessible, and empowering support for military and veteran families.

Being recognised in both categories is a huge honour and a testament to the strength of our community, our volunteers, our families, and everyone who believes in what we do.

Thank you for being part of this journey

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disabilities and Autism

Lesley, Kirsty and Tanya have completed The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disabilities and Autism:

Part 1 in December 2025

Part 2 in January 2026

A woman wearing glasses holds a certificate from NHS England's Oliver's Campaign, verifying her completion of part 2 of Oliver's Training on learning disability and autism.
Woman smiling and holding a certificate from Oliver's Campaign for completing training on Learning Disabilities and Autism, part 2, dated December 15, 2025.

Employers Against Abuse Training

Lesley and Kirsty are now both Support Ambassadors after completing the Employers Against Abuse Training with The Survivors Trust and Home Office.

Support Ambassador badge from the Surviving Abuse program, indicating completion of domestic abuse training, with home office designation.

2026 - Pride in Neurodiversity Awards

Collection of logos for the Neurodiverse Community supporting neurodiverse individuals, including logos for categories, communities, and various organizations.