Kerry Pace @ Diverse Learners
Nominee Profile
Location: Cornwall
Who I am
I’m a mum and carer to two neurodivergent grown up daughters with complex health conditions. I was identified as having dyspraxia at 33 and ADHD at 51. I also have C-PTSD and long-term health conditions. It gives me a deep understanding of the barriers disabled and neurodivergent people can face in education, employment and everyday life. I use my lived experience and professional expertise as a specialist neurodiversity tutor to embed inclusion + a person-centred approach within the company I founded, Diverse Learners.
Diverse Learners
My research (2008-12) identified working remotely increased access to specialist support for neurodivergent students who were excluded from such support due to caring needs, placement or workload. Thus, my clientele are mostly women for whom I am passionate about building confidence, self-esteem and self-belief so they can self-advocate.
What I do
I have 35 years’ experience across disability support, education and healthcare working 1:1 with neurodivergent and disabled students and professionals through tutoring, coaching and mentoring. 95% of my work is via Word of Mouth.
Who I work with
Delivered disability inclusion training to 40+ NHS Trusts, 20+ universities, local authorities, disability assessors and many healthcare professional bodies e.g. Royal College of Nursing and NHS England. Trained 20,000+ nurses, healthcare educators and staff.
For the past 2 years I worked in partnership with a NHS Trust to improve their inclusion for disabled staff resulting in 600 hours of 1:1 coaching, 200+ staff trained, declaration rates of disability increased and time to access support reduced.
Awards
I've been the recipient of a number of awards, two from my professional body PASSHE for my innovation, inclusion and quality of support and training. Other awards were as part of a team for inclusive Assistive Technology for neurodivergent people. Also, a We Are The City award, solely for women, for my achievements in education.
I’m a mum and carer to two neurodivergent grown up daughters with complex health conditions. I was identified as having dyspraxia at 33 and ADHD at 51. I also have C-PTSD and long-term health conditions. It gives me a deep understanding of the barriers disabled and neurodivergent people can face in education, employment and everyday life. I use my lived experience and professional expertise as a specialist neurodiversity tutor to embed inclusion + a person-centred approach within the company I founded, Diverse Learners.
Diverse Learners
My research (2008-12) identified working remotely increased access to specialist support for neurodivergent students who were excluded from such support due to caring needs, placement or workload. Thus, my clientele are mostly women for whom I am passionate about building confidence, self-esteem and self-belief so they can self-advocate.
What I do
I have 35 years’ experience across disability support, education and healthcare working 1:1 with neurodivergent and disabled students and professionals through tutoring, coaching and mentoring. 95% of my work is via Word of Mouth.
Who I work with
Delivered disability inclusion training to 40+ NHS Trusts, 20+ universities, local authorities, disability assessors and many healthcare professional bodies e.g. Royal College of Nursing and NHS England. Trained 20,000+ nurses, healthcare educators and staff.
For the past 2 years I worked in partnership with a NHS Trust to improve their inclusion for disabled staff resulting in 600 hours of 1:1 coaching, 200+ staff trained, declaration rates of disability increased and time to access support reduced.
Awards
I've been the recipient of a number of awards, two from my professional body PASSHE for my innovation, inclusion and quality of support and training. Other awards were as part of a team for inclusive Assistive Technology for neurodivergent people. Also, a We Are The City award, solely for women, for my achievements in education.