Our March Wellbeing Update
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Published 17 Mar 2026 in Colleagues
Welcome to our March wellbeing update! This month, we’re celebrating Neurodivergent Celebration Week - a time to recognise and appreciate different ways of thinking and experiencing the world. Find out more and hear from our Mental Health & Wellbeing Champions.
Neurodivergent Celebration Week takes place between 16th and 20th March 2026. The week serves as a platform to advocate the rights and needs of neurodiverse individuals, promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding. It encourages everyone to recognise the unique perspectives and skills that neurodiverse individuals bring to society.
Neurodiversity is a concept that recognises and celebrates the diversity of people living with neurological differences. It suggests that neurological variations, including conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia are natural and valuable aspects of human cognition.
Did you know?
- Everyone has their own unique profile — there’s no one-size-fits all
- Neurodivergent individuals have a mix of strengths and challenges
- A person-centred approach helps us support people in the way they need
Neurodivergent individuals can be more vulnerable to face mental health challenges. The relationship between neurodivergence and mental health is complex. It varies widely among individuals and reminds us that whatever our differences and challenges, everyone has their own talents.
It's fantastic that people think in different ways – it makes life more interesting! Never forget that you have the power to make a positive difference to someone who may be having a difficult time.
Want to broaden your knowledge?
Click here to complete our Neurodiversity in the Workplace i.Learn module
Reasonable Adjustments
Here at Our Coop, we want to ensure all colleagues have access to reasonable adjustments, this may be for a disability/ an underlying medical condition or require further support to enable them to fulfill the duties of their role.
Click here for more information/ guidance.
Let’s hear from Matt Dodd, Mental Health Champion….
This edition focuses on something that plays a bigger role in our lives and workplaces than we often realise: Neurodiversity. Whether we are neurodivergent ourselves, support someone who is, or work alongside colleagues who think and process the world differently, neurodiversity is a part of every workplace.
Creating an environment where people feel understood, included, valued, and able to thrive is at the heart of what we’re exploring this month.
On a personal note, over the past few years, my family has been navigating some challenges with my daughter. Like many parents of neurodivergent children, there have been times when we weren’t sure what she needed, how best to support her, or whether we were getting things “right” as parents. There were also days when balancing work and home felt overwhelming, and I carried the emotional weight quietly, convincing myself to just keep going as I was. But what made the biggest difference wasn’t a big solution it was speaking to my manager and my colleagues who listened without judgement and offered support. It was also about learning to be kinder to ourselves as parents, reminding ourselves that we were doing the best we could. That journey has made me even more aware of how important it is to create workplaces where people feel safe to say, “I’m struggling,” or “I need something a little different today to be able to work.”
Neurodiversity isn’t about labels; it’s about recognising the incredible variety of minds we work with every day. It’s about patience, flexibility, and making small adjustments that can completely transform someone’s experience as we can all face things quietly at times, even when it isn’t obvious to others.
Throughout this month, you’ll find stories, resources, and tools that shine a light on neurodiverse experiences, along with practical ways we can better support one another. Whether you’re neurodivergent, a parent or carer, or simply someone who wants to build a more inclusive team, I hope you find something that resonates.
Please take care of yourselves and never hesitate to reach out to one of our Mental Health Champions.
Matt
Shannon Hilton’s story – A Wellbeing Champion and Ability network lead
Being neurodiverse myself, and only having been recently diagnosed a few years ago, I felt I had to hide how much I was struggling at work. I masked my challenges to avoid being seen as “difficult.” People made assumptions, spoke around me instead of to me, and left me out of key conversations. It chipped away at my confidence.
Everything changed following my diagnosis and particularly when my manager began checking in regularly, listening, and making small but meaningful adjustments — like sharing agendas in advance, sticking to routines, and communicating clearly. They gave me responsibility in a way that showed trust, not pressure.
That trust unlocked something in me. I felt safer, more confident, and more capable. I started contributing more, connecting better with my team, and handling challenges with greater resilience. And the impact didn’t stop with me — our team became more open, collaborative, and respectful.’
Upcoming Events
Everymind International Day of Happiness Webinar
International Day of Happiness takes place on Friday, 20th March 2026.
To celebrate the International Day of Happiness, we’ll explore what happiness really means for us as individuals, teams, and organisations. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and discover how small everyday actions can create a big impact.
👉Sign up and join the celebration! @ 10-11am - 20th March
Click Here to access Mindful March Action for Happiness calendar
For mental health and wellbeing support, please contact GroceryAid or speak to a Mental Health Champion here.