Kerry Pace - Diverse Learners

Our blogs are back.

Now we have updated the website we have some of your favourite blogs back for you to access. These include:

Shoes or No Shoes

Five Fav apps as a young Neurodivergent person

Lived experiences from Dann, Kirsty, Jim Keane, Tracy, a Newly Qualified Nurse, Rosie and Phoebe,

Tips on creating a more dyslexia-friendly teaching approach from Janice St.John Matthews

Maths and dyslexic nurses by Specialist Study Skills tutor and midwife (retired) Michelle

And some other blogs too.

Please have a read of the blogs and let us know which ones you particularly like or resonate for you.

Blog | Diverse Learners

Blog | Diverse Learners

I'm still a little bit overwhelmed seeing this in print if I'm honest.

A huge thank you to The Voice Newspaper for sharing the story of my recent nomination for the National Diversity Awards.

When I started this work, I never imagined I'd one day be nominated in the Positive Role Model for Gender category. Like many neurodivergent people, there have been times in my life when I've felt misunderstood, overlooked and like I didn't quite fit the mould.

That's why the work I do through Diverse Learners means so much to me.

Every workshop, coaching session, conversation and challenge to the status quo comes from a genuine desire to make things better for neurodivergent and disabled people. Not just in education, but in healthcare, workplaces and everyday life.

It's why I created the Buy Neurodivergent Nurse a Specialist Support Session campaign because there is not enough support out there for our neurodivergent nurses to access the support they need to do their job.

This nomination isn't something I've achieved alone. It's thanks to the incredible people I've met along the way who have trusted me with their stories, shared their experiences and allowed me to be part of their journey too.

To everyone who has supported me, encouraged me and cheered me on – thank you. You know who you are.

And thank you again to The Voice Newspaper for taking the time to tell my story and shine a spotlight on the importance of neurodiversity, inclusion and accessibility.

You can read the article here:
https://www.voicenewspapers.co.uk/news/specialist-neurodiversity-coach-nominated-for-national-award-906278

There's only 4 days left to get your pledges in! (Though we hope to extend the timeframe).

Here at Diverse Learners we’re currently raising funds to give neurodivergent nurses and healthcare workers access to 1:1 specialist support.

We’ve already raised £770 (which is incredible) but we’re not done yet.

Nobody should ever feel like they have to just “push through” on hard mode, especially in a role where they’re already giving so much to others.

We'd love you to support our campaign, please visit this link before the 7th June to make a contribution:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/buy-a-neurodivergent-nurse-some-specialist-support

Or help us by simply sharing this post.

Thank you.



Image description: Milestone update graphic from Diverse Learners announcing that the "Buy a Neurodivergent Nurse a Specialist Support Session" Crowdfunder has reached £770 in donations. The graphic explains this will fund 7.5 hours of specialist support and encourages people to share the post or donate. The design includes a healthcare worker wearing blue gloves forming a heart shape with their hands.

We are deeply concerned about the proposed changes to the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) set out in the Government consultation, which closes on 18 June. We will be submitting our own response to ensure the voices and experiences of disabled students are represented.

We encourage all dyslexic students to share their views with DSUK, BATA and NUS by completing the form before 11 June: https://loom.ly/elr86hY

Your feedback is crucial in helping decision-makers understand the potential impact of these changes.

You use anything to protect your clothes when eating if you are Dyspraxic.

This is my youngest, Charlie using Waterstones tote bag to protect their clothes while eating, as do me and their elder sister.

When your brain and body don't always agree on where the food is supposed to go, sometimes you've just got to get proactive.

Not sure this will be making it onto the catwalk anytime soon, but it's a lot easier than changing clothes after every meal.

We share more tips on eating and dyspraxia on a couple of videos in our Dyspraxia Tips for Adults series on our YouTube channel. Have a look via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUJwNomyG1c

and don't forget to subscribe!

Please share your dyspraxic random life hacks with us?

We're so happy to share that Kirsty, a Band 7 Nurse, is the first neurodivergent nurse to receive a fully funded specialist 1:1 support session through our Buy a Neurodivergent Nurse a Specialist Support Session Crowdfunder.

How did Kirsty receive a funded session?

Kirsty was nominated by a nursing colleague who had seen our Crowdfunder on LinkedIn and got in touch to ask whether one of the funded sessions could be used to support their colleague.

Within two days of being nominated, and after a long WhatsApp conversation, we had arranged a 1:1 session that fitted around shift patterns and work commitments.

In our session, we focused on navigating Kirsty's recent identification of Autism and explored:

- What workplace adjustments and rights are available to her

- The challenges she is currently experiencing and practical strategies she could try

- Adjustments she could request straight away and how to approach those conversations

- Completing an Access to Work application, so support is already in place if needed

Here's what Kirsty said afterwards:

"From my point of view it was a really positive hour spent.

It was really valuable in that I had no idea what could be done to help in terms of reasonable adjustments with work. So the pointers you gave me were fab, as well as the DWP assessment form completion.

I just wish it had been longer.

I'm eager to spend more time with you."

This is exactly why we launched this Crowdfunder.

One conversation can help someone understand their rights, access support, reduce overwhelm and feel less alone in navigating their career.

So far, we've raised enough funding to start making these sessions available, but we'd love to go further.

Our next milestone is funding 10 specialist support sessions for neurodivergent nurses.

We only need another £230 to reach that target.

We only need one person to buy one of the software subscriptions we have available on our Crowdfunder and it would provide support to nurses who spend their careers supporting others.

When you make a donation you can also choose from a range of rewards of different accessibility software tools that have been kindly supplied by our supporters like ivvi and Talktype.

If you'd like to help fund another session, every contribution makes a difference.

Here's the link if you'd like to contribute: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/buy-a-neurodivergent-nurse-some-specialist-support

Image description: Dark blue speech bubble testimonial graphic from Diverse Learners featuring feedback from Kirsty, a Band 7 nurse and the first neurodivergent nurse to receive a fully funded specialist support session. White text inside the speech bubble shares how the session helped her understand workplace adjustments and access support at work.

I have just received this message from Kevin King and it beautifully sums up the difference specialist 1:1 support can make for neurodivergent nurses and why our fundraising efforts via Crowdfunder.com

Buy A Neurodivergent Nurse a Specialist Support Session

is so important.

"Hi Kerry, I don’t know if you remember me but I saw your name when I came back on LinkedIn (encouraged by my current job) and wanted to reach out. I accessed study skills and coaching with you and Pauline Sumner in 2018-2020 when I was training as a mental health nurse.

I can’t tell you how much working with you both has influenced me in the past 6 years. In 2021 I begun training and working as a neurodevelopmental nurse, which subsequently led to me completing a post graduate non medical prescribing course. I graduated with distinction in this - and a lot of this was thanks to further understanding and skills developed from you.

Your positive, passionate nature has rubbed off on me, and I thoroughly enjoy holistically working with children and adults at all stages of their neurodivergent journey.

I suppose I just wanted to reach out to say hi and thank you for all the help and support you gave me. It really did make a difference and has influenced me since not just personally but professionally!"

I do remember Kevin and am thrilled we have another passionate advocate out there!

We need your help to support more people like Kevin. Your donations have already raised £770 but really want to get to £2500 to fund 25 sessions.

We have amazing items at ridiculously reduced prices you can purchase too like Specialist software:
Dictation software donated by
Notetaking via mind map software donated by ,
1:1 session with me
Awareness training for up to 25 people for your company or organisation
I Wonder Book To Be Dyslexic framed print by Sam Barclay that I use in my awareness training - LAST ONE!

You can donate from £10 or look at the what we have to purchase via the link in the comments https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/buy-a-neurodivergent-nurse-some-specialist-support

Please share for reach

Buy a neurodivergent nurse some specialist support Buy a neurodivergent nurse a specialist support session. We aim raise £2,500 to fund sessions for 25 nurses by 7th June 2026.

Applications for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) are now open!

If you’re starting a course in September 2026 and are applying for DSA, it’s important to apply early.

Apply now: https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance

“It was one of the best workshops I’ve ever been to.”

That was just one of the many lovely comments shared by attendees after a Dyslexia Awareness training session I delivered this week for Abertay University.

Huge thank you to Caroline Hodgson for taking the time to share your experience, and to everyone who attended and contributed to such an open and engaging session.

What I loved most was how engaged everyone was throughout the training.

These sessions matter so much to me because awareness creates understanding… and understanding creates change.

More feedback from attendees included comments such as:

“Her friendly and engaging style immediately created an inclusive environment where everyone felt comfortable participating.”

“It really helped me think about my practice and ways that I could be more inclusive in my teachings”

“Her session was full of thoughtful universal design tips and realistic adjustments that benefit everybody.”

Thank you all so much, and wishing you all a lovely sunny Bank Holiday weekend.



Image description: Two branded testimonial graphics from Diverse Learners featuring a soft grey background, bold dark blue text panels, and large yellow quotation marks. The graphics share positive feedback from an attendee at a Dyslexia Awareness training session delivered for Abertay University, describing the workshops as practical, interactive, informative, and highly valuable.