Nansa - Norfolk and Norwich SEND Association

🌟 VISIBLE VOICES 🌟 Neurodivergent Masking, Individuation and the Spiral of Becoming 📅 Wednesday 18th March 🕧 10:15am - 11:15am 📍 The Forum Join us for a powerful session with neurodiversity coach, therapist and trainer Emma Whymark. Emma will explore Neurodivergent Masking, Individuation and the Spiral of Becoming, a compassionate look at why masking develops, how it shapes identity, and what it really means to make authenticity safer for ourselves and others. Drawing on lived experience, developmental theory and decades of professional practice, Emma reframes masking as survival, not deception, and offers practical ways to support nervous system safety, reduce shame and nurture self‑trust at any age.

🌟 VISIBLE VOICES 🌟 School Refusal: Why it happens & how can we help? 📅 17 March 🕙 10:15–11:15am 📍 The Forum School refusal is a growing concern for many families and educators, but what’s really behind it, and how can we better support the young people who experience it? As part of our Visible Voices series, we’re thrilled to welcome Pete Wharmby for a talk exploring: ✨ Why school refusal happens ✨ What parents and schools can do to help ✨ How understanding neurodivergence can transform support Pete brings a wealth of lived experience and professional insight. Diagnosed as autistic at 34, he has since become a leading voice in neurodiversity awareness, speaking internationally and writing two acclaimed books, What I Want to Talk About and Untypical. He’s also a former secondary English teacher and an active creator across LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Tickets are completely free, reserve your space via the Eventbrite link below:

✨ VISIBLE VOICES ✨ OCD and Me: Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder 📍 The Forum, Norwich 📅 Wednesday 18 March 2026 ⏰ 11:30am – 12:30pm Join Leon Knight‑Smith, CEO of Nansa and co‑creator of the Visible Festival, as he shares an honest, powerful and deeply personal insight into living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Diagnosed at age 12, Leon has experienced OCD as both a challenge and a constant companion. In this session, he’ll explore the realities of OCD, the good, the bad and the difficult, and why creating space for open conversation matters so much. Expect honesty, clarity and lived experience that helps break down misconceptions and encourages greater compassion and awareness. 🎟️ Tickets are completely free, reserve your place here: https://lnkd.in/e3AYCA5g

Visible (Norfolk's Neurodiversity Festival) returns to The Forum Norwich in March 2026... and it's time to meet some of the voices who'll be attending, introducing: Pete Wharmby, Hester Grainger, Kelly Grainger, and Leon Knight-Smith To find out more, or to book a stand at the event, check out the Visible Festival website: https://lnkd.in/eDXc3ZrD As always, we are also seeking sponsors - if you or your business would like to support this event please get in touch via: fundraising@nansa.org.uk or by contacting Project Manager - Amanda Lockwood The purpose of Visible is to promote the inclusion, advocacy, participation, accessibility, and awareness of individuals who may feel excluded, marginalised, or unsupported because of social, behavioural, and/or developmental differences. Visible attempts to do this, quite simply, by initiating (and encouraging) ongoing conversations amongst those who might champion a more inclusive society, and by amplifying the voices of people with lived experience of neurodivergence. Together, we can influence change countywide. Together we can listen, and we can learn. Together we can be heard, and we can be VISIBLE! #VisibleNorfolk #VisibleFestival #Neurodiversity #JoinTheConversation

JOB OPPORTUNITY Executive Support Administrator Are you organised, motivated, and looking step into an office-based support role? This is an exciting opportunity to join Nansa as we create a brand-new position to strengthen our team and improve the way we support our staff and organisation. We’re looking for a friendly and proactive Executive Support Administrator to provide day-to-day assistance across both executive administration and HR support. In this varied role, you’ll help with tasks such as preparing documents, scheduling meetings, keeping records up to date, supporting recruitment activities, and assisting with the onboarding of new staff. No two days are the same, and you’ll be at the heart of making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes. This role is ideal for someone looking to develop their skills in office administration, HR, or executive support. Reporting directly to the CEO, full training and ongoing support will be provided, so what matters most to us is your attitude, willingness to learn, and commitment to doing a great job. We also understand that people bring different strengths, so if you feel you don’t meet every part of the person specification, we still encourage you to apply. If you have transferable skills, a positive approach, or something unique to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Join us at this exciting time of growth and change at Nansa, as we review and improve how we recruit, welcome, and support our team – and play a key part in helping us make a difference every day. Pay: £24,333 per year | £13.37 per hour Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday) | Part-Time also considered.                  Closing date:  Tuesday 14th October 2025 Interviews:  Friday 17th October 2025 https://lnkd.in/eMwWiTXW

CALLING ALL NEURODIVERGENT YOUNG PEOPLE IN NORFOLK! Explore Your Voice. Build Confidence. Discover Volunteering. Are you aged 16 to 25, neurodivergent, and living in Norfolk? Do you want to explore how you can make a difference in your community, share your story, and build skills in a supportive, creative environment? Nansa is inviting 8 young people to take part in a free, exciting new project – The Visible Volunteering Project – leading up to Norfolk’s Visible Festival of Neurodiversity in March 2026! What’s Involved? You’ll take part in 6 creative and empowering workshops designed to help you: > Build confidence and self-expression > Discover what volunteering could look like for you > Connect with others and share your voice > Shape your own path in a way that works for you You’ll also help co-create a gallery installation for the Visible Festival and attend the event at The Forum in Norwich to celebrate and showcase your journey! Workshop Dates (All 10am–2:30pm at Nansa Lodge, Woodcock Road, Norwich): > Wednesday 24th September 2025 > Wednesday 22nd October 2025 > Wednesday 17th December 2025 > Wednesday 14th January 2026 > Wednesday 11th February 2026 Plus: Attend the Visible Festival on Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th March 2026 What’s Included? > Completely FREE to take part > Refreshments and travel support available > A friendly, inclusive space that values you > Ongoing opportunities after the project ends Apply by: Sunday 7th September 2025 If you'd like to participate, complete an expression of interest form by following the link below: https://lnkd.in/eNiDabRz

🎉 Big News! 🎉 We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Pete Wharmby will be joining us as one of the Visible Voices at the Visible Festival in March 2026! Pete is a powerful advocate, speaker, and author whose voice has helped reshape how many people understand neurodiversity. We couldn't be more honoured and grateful to have his involvement. Find out more using the links below: Visible Festival Page: https://lnkd.in/eDXc3ZrD Introducing Pete Wharmby: https://lnkd.in/efcPeNRW If you have something to say, and are interested in hosting a presentation/talk as a guest speaker in 2026, we'd love to hear from you... contact Amanda Lockwood Together, we can influence change countywide. Together we can listen, and we can learn. Together we can be heard, and we can be VISIBLE! #VisibleVoices #VisibleFestival2026 #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #LivedExperience #VisibleNorfolk #VisibleFestival #JoinTheConversation