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Neurofest 2025 - Meet The Team: Jodi - Worleys World - CIC Partner

Jodi is A kids mental health therapist, an experienced primary school teacher – and now a published author!Worleys world cic aims to support families to understand and communicate emotions, introducing the often challenging situations faced by young children in a way that is relatable and fun. ​“My dream has always been to help nurture and educate little minds through creative, engaging activities. I have spent many years developing Worley's World, which has your children’s well-being at...

Neurofest 2025 - Meet The Team: Charlie - Union Jab - CIC Partner

Owned and operated by Charlie 'CGR' Cooke (adhd)- England Boxing coach, AfN accredited nutritionist, published health writer, and qualified personal trainer - Union Jab promotes not only physical health but also emotional and social health through a relaxed but hard-working environment. union jab provides boxing for all!Union jab has a high percentage of neurodivergent members and coaches.Union jab host community classes as well as workshops for schools and organisations.You can find their commu...

Neurofest 2025 - Meet The Team: Jodi

Jodi - Worleys World - CIC PartnerJodi is A kids mental health therapist, an experienced primary school teacher – and now a published author!Worleys World CIC aims to support families to understand and communicate emotions, introducing the often challenging situations faced by young children in a way that is relatable and fun. ​“My dream has always been to help nurture and educate little minds through creative, engaging activities. I have spent many years developing Worley's World, which h...

Neurofest 2025 - Meet The Team: Kerrie

Kerrie - North East Autism Society - Charity PartnerNorth East Autism Society and The Centre for Lifethe North East Autism Society (NEAS) are the leading provider of care and education for autistic and neurodivergent children, young people and adults in the North East of England.The Centre for Life is a dynamic science hub in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne which inspires everyone to explore and enjoy science, discover amazing things about the world and have loads of fun doing it. Partnership:L...

Neurofest 2025 - Meet The Team: Katie!

Founder/Lead Organiser:Katie Toner - Unite ClubUnite ClubKatie Toner is an autistic/ADHD entrepreneur and advocate and the founder of Unite Club, an organisation with one clear goal to help the North East GROW, CONNECT and UNITE to build a kinder, more inclusive world.At Unite Club we believe in the power of connection and the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.Lived experience plays a vital role in the support we offer to the local community and we active...

Week 2 Half Term Activity Programme

Half Term Activity Programme:Day 4:Nature and Animals:Create an animal from papier mache or other materials. Choose your favourite animal or design your own!This SEND/ND friendly, forest school-inspired session includes the chance to create bird feeders or take part in a nature art forest school project. We'll also have an animal movie on the big screen, creative free-play (lego/crafts etc) and video game challenges. Children will have access to a private sensory/regulation area. The UNITE CLUB ...

Half Term SEND Activity Programme

Unite Club are thrilled to be working alongside Karbon Homes and The Hub Consett to bring a super inclusive HAF programme to local families.Find out more below:Day One:Hero Camp!Design your own costume, decide how to beat the bad guys and work out what your super power is!This inclusive, SEND/ND friendly session includes creative tasks, science and problem solving. Your children can also enjoy a hero movie on the big screen, creative free-play (lego/crafts etc) and video game challenges. Childre...

Welcome to Neurofest 2025: A Celebration of Inclusion

At Unite Club, we believe in the power of understanding, connection, and growth. That's why we're thrilled to announce Neurofest 2025 - an annual fundraising festival hosted by Unite Club and 5 charity partners.The event is dedicated to celebrating inclusion, neurodivergence and disability, fostering a community where everyone can shine. Whether you're looking to learn, share, or simply connect with others, Neurofest 2025 offers a unique opportunity to be part of something truly special.What is ...

The Sensory Shuttle: Bringing a Mobile Sensory Room to Schools – for Free!

Exciting news for schools! The Sensory Shuttle, a fully customisable mobile sensory room, is now available for free school visits between April and July 2025, thanks to funding from Unite Club.What is the Sensory Shuttle?The Sensory Shuttle is a unique, mobile space designed to support sensory exploration and regulation for children and adults alike. Whether a child needs a calming environment to self-regulate or a space to engage in sensory play, this specially designed room-on-wheels brings th...

5 Myths and Misconceptions About Neurodivergent People.

Let's play BINGO... how many of the following have you been told?Have you heard any other myths? Let me know in the comments below ⬇️Not only are most of the myths we hear untrue (and downright laughable), but they can be super damaging to the Neurodivergent community and negatively impact how the rest of the world perceives us and what we can do.⭐ Myth: Neurodivergence is rare. Fact: Neurodivergence is more common than people think, with around 1 in 7 people being neurodivergent. (And tha...

Neurodivergent VS Neurodiversity

Hi, I'm Katie (Autistic/ADHD) and I am here to answer your questions on all things inclusion.Whilst many use the terms interchangeably, it is important that we recognise the difference, so that we can truly embrace and celebrate all brains!Here is a helpful trick to help you remember.Neurodiversity (CITY) - Lots of people live in a city. Neurodiversity is the idea that all human brains are different and our world is diverse because of this. Example "This classroom has children from all walks of ...

Inclusion 101: Secret Senses (Part Two)

Hi, I'm Katie. Welcome back to Inclusion 101! Today, we're diving into 4 of our senses and how sensory needs may present in our day-to-day life. Let's get started!If you haven't already, go back and check out my previous blog listing 'The 8 senses'.Tackling the Tactile SystemOur tactile system, or the way we touch and feel things, can be heavily influenced by anxiety and how overwhelmed our nervous system is.This explains why one day you can comfortably wear a T-shirt and the next day the tags d...

Introducing The Sensory Shuttle: Bringing Sensory Support to Your Community

Welcome to The Sensory Shuttle - a warm, inviting space on wheels designed to bring bespoke sensory experiences directly to the local community.I'm Katie and I'm passionate about collaborating with Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organizations to make inclusive spaces ACTUALLY accessible to those who need them most. Unite Club's mission is to create inclusive, calming, and engaging environments for all.Each and every living being on our planet benefits hugely from understandin...

Inclusion 101: The Autistic’s Guide to Inclusion

Welcome to Inclusion 101, where we provide weekly tips, tricks, and tools to help you and your child thrive! 🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏾‍♂️Today’s Topic: The 8 Senses ✨Can you list them all? Which are strongest for you? Which do you struggle to regulate?Visual System 👀Our sense of sight, which allows us to perceive color, light, and movement.Auditory System 👂🏼Our sense of hearing, crucial for detecting sounds and communicating.Olfactory (Smell) System 👃Our sense of smell, whi...

Introducing The Sensory Shuttle: Bringing Sensory Therapy to Schools

The Sensory Shuttle is a unique mobile sensory room designed by Unite Club AND local neurodivergent families to bring engaging, therapeutic sensory experiences directly to schools and communities. This fully equipped van provides a calming (or stimulating), controlled environment ideal for supporting neurodivergent children, those with anxiety or sensory processing challenges as well as those with physical disabilities. The fact is...ALL children benefit from sensory regulation.My mission is to ...

Inclusion 101: The Autistic Guide to After-School Eruptions

Hi, I’m Katie, owner of Unite Club. Today, let's talk about something many families struggle with: the after-school eruption. You know what I’m talking about—those big explosions of emotion and energy that children often face after a day at school or a big event....

Introducing The Sensory Shuttle: Bringing Sensory Regulation and Support to Your Community or Workplace

The Sensory Shuttle is a completely customisable WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE mobile sensory room designed to deliver immersive, therapeutic sensory experiences directly to your home, community or workplace. By providing a calming (or stimulating!), controlled environment, we aim to support neurodivergent individuals, those with sensory processing challenges, those with physical disabilities and anyone who can benefit from stress relief and sensory engagement. Our mission is to make these experiences i...

Inclusion 101: Helping Autistic Children During Christmas

Christmas is a magical time filled with joy and excitement, but it can also be overwhelming for children on the autism spectrum. With the festive season comes a flurry of sensory stimuli, changes in routine, and social expectations that can be challenging to navigate. Here are some practical tips to help your autistic child enjoy a peaceful and joyous Christmas....

Planning a Private Party with Unite Club

Hi there! Are you planning a private party for your child and their friends? Unite Club offers a range of packages to suit your needs all featuring our CUSTOMISED mobile sensory room and led by Neurodivergent party hosts. Here’s everything you need to know:...

Inclusion 101: How to Help Your Family Stay Regulated During the School Holidays

Hi there! I’m Katie, the owner of Unite Club. Today, we're diving into Inclusion 101 for autistic individuals. We’re going to discuss how to navigate the school holidays and help your family stay regulated during these exciting yet often overwhelming times....

Embracing Neurodivergence: My Journey

Hi, I'm Katie! I currently live in Northumberland with my family, originally from Middlesborough. Running my business, Unite Club allows me to meet different families around the North East of England, an opportunity I find very exciting.Realising I Might Be AutisticMy journey toward understanding my autism began with a realisation that I was different from my friends. As a child, I wasn’t often invited to friends’ houses or at least when I was, their parents prepared with earplugs! The older...

North East Autism Society

Exciting news!Katie has just recorded a Podcast with the North East Autism Society!The North East Autism Society have been empowering and supporting autistic children, young people, adults and their families for over 40 years so you can imagine how thrilled Katie was to receive an invitation to appear on their Podcast!More details about the Podcast will be coming soon...watch this space!You can find out more about The North East Autism Society and the great work they are doing HERE...

Autism Acceptance Month

“By being yourself, you put something wonderful in to the world” Ratchet Clothing.#AutismAcceptanceMonthDid you catch my interview with Anna Foster recentyl?Fear not! Click on the link below for more info! https://bit.ly/445QNvN...

Neurodivergent business owner Katie Toner talks about North East inclusivity

Neurodivergent business owner, Katie Toner, is making North East businesses more inclusive, timed perfectly for Autism Acceptance Month in April.Katie, 29 from Northumberland, was diagnosed with autism and ADHD within the last three years.She's now transforming that personal experience into action, advocating for disabled and neurodivergent individuals' equal opportunities in the region.Toner, alongside her business, is making waves during this week's observance of Autism Acceptance Week. Severa...

Working to enhance autism acceptance

Katie Toner from Northumberland is a neurodivergent business owner and advocate working to help North East businesses and organisations become more inclusive. Katie who is 29-years-old and from near Hexham was diagnosed as autistic and ADHD within the past three years and is now becoming an effective and active voice for equal opportunities and inclusion for the neurodivergent and disabled communities in the region.This week is autism acceptance week and April is autism awareness month, so ...