Joining forces to celebrate neurodiversity

Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have released a short series of films to coincide with Neurodiversity Celebration Week which runs from 21-27 March.

The three films feature neurodivergent police officers, firefighters and staff talking about their personal journeys, their observations, and the strengths their unique perspectives bring to the organisations and to the communities they serve.

Neurodiversity Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported through education and employment.  The Week is about raising awareness, increasing acceptance, and understanding of neurodiversity and celebrating neurodivergent people. 

The term neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people but is particularly connected to neurological and developmental conditions such as Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The three films produced by the Police and Fire Service explore ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia and provide a real-life insight into how each condition brings different strengths and talents into the workforce.

Today, the first of the short series of videos being released focuses on Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD).

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold said: “The first challenge for any organisation lies in breaking the stigma that neurodiversity is a disability, rather it provides an opportunity to see things from difference perspectives. It’s important to me that both the Police Force and Fire Service value individual differences, nurturing strengths, abilities and talents to enable the individual to flourish and both organisations to benefit from diversity of thought and perspective.

“I am very grateful to those people who have participated in these films and hope that through them we are able to elevate discussions, raise awareness and develop a deeper understanding of neurodiversity in the workplace. In doing this, I believe we will be able to better respond to the challenges we face in protecting people and communities now and in the future.”

In the Police, Fire and Crime Plan 2021 – 2026, the Commissioner has asked Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to ensure that they welcome people from diverse backgrounds and that they reflect the diverse communities they serve.

For Police recruitment opportunities, visit www.northants.police.uk/careers

For information on careers in the Fire Service, visit the Careers section on Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service – Making Northamptonshire Safer for all (northantsfire.gov.uk)

You can learn more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week and get you and/or your organisation involved here www.neurodiversityweek.com

#NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek, #neurodiversityweek, #NCW

Meet Police Community Support Officer Kev Rowlatt, Firefighter Sophie Newnes, Superintendent Sarah Johnson, Northamptonshire Police Neurodiversity Support Network Co-Chair, James Collison and Group Commander and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Lead Stefan Douglas talking about ADHD

Detective Inspector Wayne Preece, Firefighter at Mereway Sophie Newnes, Station Commander and On-Call Recruitment Lead Ashley Tugby, Northamptonshire Police Neurodiversity Support Network Co-Chair and Application Delivery EngineerJames Collison and Group Commander and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Lead Stefan Douglas talk about Dyslexia