SCO REPORT — Neurodivergent Students

Officer: Gwinny
Month: Nov 

Overview

This month has focused on strengthening collaboration with the other disability-focused rep and SCOs, addressing student concerns around wellbeing and safety, developing clearer support resources, and increasing representation of neurodivergent students in wider community and civic initiatives. I have also been supporting students individually through signposting and feedback collection.

Key Work Completed

Regular Meetings with SU & Disability Representatives

• Had ongoing meetings with Becca (SCO Students with Disabilities) and Beck (Rep for Students with Hidden Disabilities) with support from the SU Engagement Team.
• Discussed accessibility improvement themes, communication between student communities, and issues currently affecting ND students.
• Began coordinating approaches for joint advocacy where our roles overlap.

Student Council Contribution

• Attended Student Council and raised concerns regarding rumours about a potential protest.
• Followed up directly with the students involved to:
  • Understand the nature of the concerns
  • Signpost them appropriately (to services and to the feedback form)
  • Encourage peaceful and constructive communication
• De-escalated confusion surrounding the issue and ensured students were supported in accessing formal routes to raise concerns.

Development of ND Support Padlet

• Began building a centralised Padlet containing:
  • Information about available support (academic, wellbeing, disability, adjustments)
  • How to access these services
  • Escalation routes and advocacy channels
• Aim: reduce overwhelm for ND students and create a single, accessible point of reference.
• Early student feedback highlights the need for clearer navigation of university services.

Society Development

• Met with a group of students interested in establishing a Neurodivergent & Disabled Students Society.
• Provided early guidance on structure, feasibility, and SU processes.
• Maintaining ongoing communication as the idea develops.
• Arranged a meeting with the majority of Execs from last years AuDHD ND Society with the proposed new Execs. (It’s currently unclear if this will be a continuation of society or brand new society)

Event Planning

• Began planning an ND community event for January.
• Adjusted plans in response to student feedback indicating a preference for:
  • Longer-duration,
  • Daytime,
  • Low-pressure activities.

Community & Representation

Citizens’ Assembly on Housing (Colchester)

• Participated in the EU-CIEMBLY Essex Citizens’ Assembly.
• Provided ND-focused feedback, particularly on:
  • How data is collected
  • Ensuring perspectives outside the consensus are represented
  • Reducing accessibility barriers in participation
• Highlighted issues affecting ND residents in Colchester, particularly around housing instability and sensory/environmental challenges.

LGBTQIA+ Bystander Policy Vote

• Voted in support of the updated LGBTQIA+ Bystander Policy for compulsory training for SU Staff and Community Leaders.
• Emphasised intersectional inclusivity and safety for ND LGBTQIA+ students.

Student Support & Signposting

This month I have:

• Gathered ongoing feedback about SWIS, encouraging students to use the official feedback form so concerns can be escalated through Student Council.
• Provided individual signposting to:
  • Wellbeing and mental health support
  • SU Services and academic departments
  • Adjustment processes and SU networks
• Supported several students with follow-up conversations regarding ongoing issues.
• Encouraged students to make use of the WhatsApp ND Community Chat as a low-pressure communication space.

Issues Raised / Themes Identified

• Students continue to report difficulty navigating university support systems.
• A need for clearer, centralised information (Padlet being developed in response).
• Students seeking more ND-affirming social spaces, which informed discussions around creating a new society.
• Desire for daytime, sensory-considerate events.
• Varied experiences with SWIS that require structured feedback to present to Student Council.

Plans for Next Month

• Finalise and launch the ND Support Padlet.
• Continue collaboration with disability-aligned reps and SU staff.
• Support further development of the proposed ND & Disabled Students Society.
• Complete planning for January ND community event.
• Increase outreach and engagement through WhatsApp and Instagram.
• Begin drafting proposals for next-term support or advocacy priorities based on student feedback.