A Manx mother who experienced firsthand how overwhelming and isolating life can be for families of neurodivergent children is preparing to celebrate the achievements of young people across the island.

Nichola Whitlam founded Diverse Minds Community after two of her children were diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions.

Her experiences inspired her to create a place where parents could share their challenges, support one another and feel understood without fear of judgement.

Now, the parent-led, non-profit organisation is preparing to host its first ‘Better Together, Awards of Excellence’ in February 2027, recognising neurodivergent children and young people aged five to 21, alongside the parents, carers and teachers who support them.

Nichola said: ‘I wanted to create a community where parents could come together, share their experiences, support one another and, most importantly, feel understood without fear of judgement.

‘We hold regular parent meetups, provide a supportive online community, share resources and information, and advocate for greater understanding and inclusion.’

The organisation has also purchased ten online learning places for children currently unable to access traditional education.

Nichola said: ‘This is something I’m particularly passionate about because I believe every child deserves access to education, even when a mainstream school environment isn’t currently suitable for them.’

Her experiences have also prompted her to campaign for greater understanding of neurodivergence in schools.

In July 2025, she presented a petition to Tynwald calling for mandatory, ongoing neurodiversity training for staff working in educational settings.

She said the campaign was driven not only by her own experiences but also by conversations with families struggling to have their children’s needs understood.

The idea for the awards came from a conversation with Chris from the Miles That Matter team, who described attending an event celebrating neurodivergent children and young people.

It inspired Nichola to organise something similar on the Isle of Man, recognising personal achievements and everyday challenges that can often go unnoticed.

The awards will celebrate milestones, resilience, kindness and progress, with hopes that the event will become an annual celebration.

Nichola said: ‘I thought about how much it would mean to those children to have an entire evening dedicated to celebrating them, not because they’ve achieved something society traditionally considers exceptional, but because of who they are and the challenges they’ve overcome.’

She believes achievements that might appear small to others can represent enormous steps forward.

‘We celebrate academic achievements, sporting success and so many other wonderful accomplishments, but what about the child who has overcome overwhelming anxiety just to walk through a school door? Or the child who has finally found the confidence to communicate their feelings? Or the young person who shows incredible kindness and compassion despite facing their own difficulties?

‘Those achievements deserve recognition too.’

Although Nichola believes awareness of neurodivergence has improved, she says there remains an important difference between awareness and understanding.

‘My hope is that through Diverse Minds Community and events like the Better Together Awards, we can continue encouraging those conversations and gradually build a more understanding, compassionate and inclusive Isle of Man.

‘Because at the end of the day, every child deserves to feel that they belong.’

The event is supported through Manx Life.

To make a nomination, visit: www.diverseminds.im/awards