Award-winning writer and autism advocate Chris Bonnello to discuss neurodiversity at XpoNorth annual conference
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An award-winning writer will be among panel members discussing neurodiversity at an annual conference staged by a Highlands and Islands support organisation for the creative sector.
Chris Bonnello, author of the series, Underdogs, and autism advocate, will take part in the event organised by XpoNorth, a specialist support programme for Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
As Mental Health Week begins today, XpoNorth announced it is shining a light on neurodiversity at its annual conference from June 15-16.
Mr Bonnello will take part in a session focusing on supporting and encouraging neurodiversity.
Formerly a primary school teacher, he is an international speaker on autism issues and launched Autistic Not Weird to share his insights from a personal and professional perspective, a venture which attracted over 155,000 Facebook followers.
The Support and Encouraging Neurodiversity panel brings together speakers with a depth of knowledge and experience to discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by people with neurodivergent features.
It will also explore whether enough is being done to allow individuals to work to their fullest potential as well as offer perspectives on recruitment and discuss support options in the creative industries.
XpoNorth will also explore mental health in its Design: Influencing Lifestyle and Wellbeing session, with speakers including Sarah Drummond, founder of award-winning design agency Snook, Karen Anderson, architect and founding partner of architectural design practice Anderson Bell Christie, and Nichole Rouillac, founder and creative director at level.
The conference comes as everyone has individually faced a wide range of challenges around mental health and wellbeing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It has forced many to think differently about their lives, relationship with work and how to look after themselves in general.
The discussion will look at how design can influence changes in lifestyle.
Iain Hamilton, HIE's head of creative industries, said championing neurodiversity across the sector was hugely important and a subject on which the conference programme would focus.
"Businesses could find themselves lacking the distinct advantages that come from building a more diverse workforce and the increased productivity, creativity and focus this could bring," he said.
"We are delighted to have Chris Bonello joining us to delve further into the dynamics of this topic, offer first-hand expert insight into what is being done right, explore what more can be done – and discuss how we can ensure the right mechanisms are in place going forward.
"This session is part of a wide range of diverse panels that make up our digital conference this year, and we would encourage those interested to sign up and check out the full programme."
Following two successful years as a digital event, the conference will return as an interactive online experience via the Socio platform.
The aim of the XpoNorth experience is to enable attendees from different sectors to connect and exchange ideas, with this year’s edition offering enhanced opportunities for attendees through a blend of unique seminar content, dedicated one-to-one sessions, networking opportunities and digital trade spaces.
Delegates can register to attend for free via www.xponorth.co.uk.
Online session to help businesses reach retail stores
