Monday 23 September 2024 | 1pm to 4pm | Online via Zoom
Ticket prices: Members £27 | Non-members £43
Did you know that an estimated 1 in 7 people – more than 14% of the population in the UK are neurodivergent?
Are you a neurodivergent volunteering professional, or do you have people who are neurodivergent in your teams?
Do you want to make a positive change in your organisation for volunteers and staff who are neurodivergent?
Neurodiversity brings many strengths to teams – whether this be volunteer or staff teams – including attention to detail, innovation, adaptability, deep focus, problem-solving, communication and creativity – to name a few! Having a well-informed and strengths-based approach to neurodiversity in your teams is key to recruitment and retention, as well as honouring diversity.
This event brings together neurodivergent speakers and specialists experienced in volunteer management and leadership, with the aim of increasing understanding and exploring practical approaches to creating environments that are more inclusive, welcoming and positive for neurodivergent volunteers and staff.
This event will provide you with the opportunity to:
- Increase your awareness and knowledge of neurodiversity – the language, concepts and current understanding in this field
- Learn from lived experience of neurodiversity in volunteer management, with insights about the importance of inclusive practice in this area
- Explore the benefits of embracing and celebrating neurodiversity within organisations
- Find out how digital skills and tools can help neurodivergent (and neurotypical) managers and leaders in their work and in creating content that is more accessible for teams
- Discover resources and external services freely available for neurodivergent people in the workplace
About the presentations
How to create inclusive volunteer environments with Sarah Philippe
The terms ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘neurodivergent’ have gained prominence in recent years, with new HR hiring trends emphasising their significance. In this session we will explore the benefits of fostering effective volunteer programs by embracing and celebrating neurodiversity within organisations. We will discuss how to create inclusive volunteer environments that promote the idea of ‘grace’ and meeting each of us where we are at.
Throughout this session, we will delve into key aspects of neurodiversity, including defining the terms ‘neurodiversity’ and ‘neurodivergent.’ We’ll also explore strategies for creating an environment that fosters belonging, crafting comprehensive position descriptions, and ways to secure staff buy-in. This presentation encourages organisations to embrace diverse perspectives, challenging conventional notions of ‘normal.’
Memory Shelves and Digital Toolkits with Jennifer Murphy
Working memory is a cognitive system that determines how much short-term information we can retain at any given moment. Often called the ‘memory shelf,’ this capacity can be notably reduced in neurodivergent individuals. As a leader of volunteers, your ability to manage and recall key details and actions relies heavily on this capacity. When faced with a limited memory shelf, managing these details can be particularly challenging.
In this session, we will explore practical digital tools, including AI, digital planners, and automation workflows, designed to support and enhance your working memory. These tools will help you gain confidence as a leader and create content that is more accessible and effective for your team.
We will examine the benefits of digital versus analogue systems and identify which toolkits are most suitable for personal, team, and organisational use. Additionally, we will cover GDPR and IT policies to ensure your digital practices remain compliant and secure.
Furthermore, we will discuss how diagnosis journeys, stigmas, and stereotypes can affect the support that neurodivergent individuals receive in the workplace. We will explore strategies for supporting team members, including reasonable adjustments, different working styles, and practical advice on accessing additional support and equipment.
About the speakers
Sarah Philippe
Sarah Philippe is passionate about volunteerism, accessibility, history, and ice cream! She has 14 years of experience working with volunteers, including the last eight in volunteer administration. In 2021, Sarah earned her Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA), and always a consummate learner, she has completed certificates in DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) at the University of South Florida, SHRM, and LinkedIn Learning.
Sarah has presented ‘Neurodiversity in Volunteerism’ at conferences and webinars since 2022, most recently she presented at the ASC training conference in April 2024. Additionally, Sarah’s work can be found in “New Voices and Perspectives in Volunteer Engagement 2023,” edited by Erin Spink. When not advocating for accessibility and inclusivity in volunteerism, Sarah enjoys trying new ice cream flavours, listening to history podcasts with her cat, and reading the Magic Treehouse series with her nieces and nephews.
Jennifer Murphy
Jenny Murphy is the Volunteer Manager at the Museum of the Home and serves as the Communications Executive for the Heritage Volunteer Group. With extensive experience in designing and implementing volunteer programs across various museums and heritage sites, Jenny has played a key role in developing new infrastructure, roles, and training initiatives. As a dyslexic professional, Jenny has self-taught digital skills to support her work, which have now become a core component of her practice. Her expertise in creating websites and systems has significantly enhanced volunteer engagement and improved overall volunteer experiences.
AVM Members’ discount
AVM members are eligible for a discount on the event ticket price. Please log in to your account so that your discount can be automatically applied.
If you’re not an AVM member, you can join AVM today to gain access to this event, as well as receiving lots of other benefits, including access to free member-only events, discounts for all public events and the annual AVM conference. You will also have access to the AVM BiteSize webcasts and AVM Replay videos of previous events, including our annual conference. Members also have the opportunity to join our Mentoring Scheme and build their professional network through AVM Connect.
Join AVM today to access your discount on this event.
