This week I am pleased to be supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, whilst creating more inclusive cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.
During my time as an MP, I have campaigned hard for the rights of those with autism and other neurodivergent individuals, so Neurodiversity Celebration Week is extremely close to my heart and ties in with my ongoing work to close the employment gap for autistic people and those with other neurodivergent needs.
With only two out of ten adults with autism in employment, that is a shocking gap that we need to fill, and I am working very closely with organisations including ‘Neurodiversity in Business’ an excellent charity that has been set up to improve the life chances of neurodivergent employees, and GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment, and Neurodiversity), as well as Zurich, who are based here in South Swindon. I am delighted that the insurance industry, championed by Zurich, are taking the lead in creating opportunities for neurodiverse people across their sector. If you run a local business, large or small, and you would like my support and advice in this area, please do get in touch with me by emailing [email protected]
Further information about my work on closing the employment gap for autistic people and those with other neurodivergent needs, as well as my work on other local and national issues, can be found on my website here https://www.robertbuckland.co.uk/ You can also learn more about my work by subscribing to my monthly newsletter, please get in touch with me if you would like to subscribe.
I have been working very hard on national and local issues, and I was very pleased to assist local resident, Alistair Flockhart recently, with his campaign to ‘reclaim’ a green space close to his home, which had become overgrown and felt unsafe for local residents.
Following a number of site visits and meetings with Thames Water, I am delighted that the fields around the balancing pond near Shrivenham Road and the County Ground have now been transformed. It is important that we have well-maintained and safe spaces in Swindon that local residents can feel proud of.
I would like to congratulate Park South resident and Swindon Bus driver, Kyle Caswell, who has been awarded the title of Employee of the Year by Swindon Bus Company. You may recall from my columns a while back that Kyle, who was one of Swindon Bus Company’s youngest ever trainees, and just 18 years old at the time, came to the aid of a local woman and her children who were escaping domestic abuse. Kyle, who had only been working for Swindon Bus Company for six months at the time, went above and beyond to get the family to safety. Thank you, Kyle, it's people like you who make our community here in Swindon a better and safer place. I am proud to be your MP and we are all proud of you here in Swindon.
Finally, during Neurodiversity Celebration Week, my local charity of the week is DASH (Discovering Autistic Spectrum Happiness). This brilliant local charity aims to help autistic people in Swindon to live happier and more fulfilled lives. DASH provides information and support to help autistic people to socialise, as well as access to other local agencies. For more information on DASH and to learn how you can support their work please visit https://www.dashswindon.com/
