Elena Miles
Nominee Profile
Location: Milton Keynes
"I couldn’t find anywhere my son fit... It takes a a village to raise a child... I had to build my own.....for me, my son and all other SEND parents as we have nowhere to go"
— Ellie, Founder of The Spectrum Place
For the past 10 years, Ellie has walked the challenging path of raising a neurodivergent child. Her son, facing ASD/PDA, anxiety, and a lack of accessible support, was unable to attend mainstream school—forcing Ellie into an ongoing battle with a system not designed for children like hers.
Through years of isolation, burnout, and relentless efforts to secure the right educational support, Ellie became a champion for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) rights. She fought for what was right for her son—and in the process, became an advocate for every family facing the same struggles.
Instead of giving up, Ellie used her personal experiences to create The Spectrum Place—a first-of-its-kind charity and neurodiverse family hub in Milton Keynes, designed specifically for children who are unable to attend traditional education due to mental health challenges, physical conditions, EBSA, trauma, sensory needs, or learning differences. Joining Ellie in this venture is Zee, co-founder of The Spectrum Place and owner of Immersive Experiences, who brings over 20 years of experience in immersive learning experiences and educational innovation. Zee’s expertise spans working with schools & educational provisions ( museums, galleries..) across the UK to create environments where children of all needs and abilities can thrive. His team’s deep knowledge in immersive educational methods ensures that The Spectrum Place isn’t just another educational alternative—it’s a space that engages, inspires, and empowers children by tapping into the power of hands-on, sensory-rich learning.
Together, Ellie and Zee’s combined passion and experience create a holistic approach to neurodiversity, where education, therapy, and family support all come together seamlessly.
— Ellie, Founder of The Spectrum Place
For the past 10 years, Ellie has walked the challenging path of raising a neurodivergent child. Her son, facing ASD/PDA, anxiety, and a lack of accessible support, was unable to attend mainstream school—forcing Ellie into an ongoing battle with a system not designed for children like hers.
Through years of isolation, burnout, and relentless efforts to secure the right educational support, Ellie became a champion for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) rights. She fought for what was right for her son—and in the process, became an advocate for every family facing the same struggles.
Instead of giving up, Ellie used her personal experiences to create The Spectrum Place—a first-of-its-kind charity and neurodiverse family hub in Milton Keynes, designed specifically for children who are unable to attend traditional education due to mental health challenges, physical conditions, EBSA, trauma, sensory needs, or learning differences. Joining Ellie in this venture is Zee, co-founder of The Spectrum Place and owner of Immersive Experiences, who brings over 20 years of experience in immersive learning experiences and educational innovation. Zee’s expertise spans working with schools & educational provisions ( museums, galleries..) across the UK to create environments where children of all needs and abilities can thrive. His team’s deep knowledge in immersive educational methods ensures that The Spectrum Place isn’t just another educational alternative—it’s a space that engages, inspires, and empowers children by tapping into the power of hands-on, sensory-rich learning.
Together, Ellie and Zee’s combined passion and experience create a holistic approach to neurodiversity, where education, therapy, and family support all come together seamlessly.