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North East Ambulance Service secures funding for Neurodivergent Wellbeing Project

Kevin Scollay said: “By investing in tailored support for neurodiverse staff, we are not only improving individual wellbeing but also strengthening our teams."

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North East Ambulance Service secures funding for Neurodivergent Wellbeing Project
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North East Ambulance Service has secured £46,250 from NHS Charities Together to support neurodivergent staff with a new Neurodiversity Wellbeing Project. 

The funding is part of an £11m programme, including £5m from NHS England, and is one of 29 projects in England to get support this autumn.

In the 2024 staff survey, 10% of staff said they had a disability or long-term health condition, but the actual number is believed to be higher due to underreporting and limited diagnosis. 

Staff surveys have shown that employees with long-term conditions face more wellbeing challenges. 

The Able@NEAS Staff Disability Network said most support requests come from staff with neurodivergent conditions.

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The Neurodiversity Wellbeing Project will give staff access to the Genius Finder screening tool to help identify strengths and challenges, offer one-to-one coaching, train staff as accredited neurodiversity coaches, and set up ways to measure the impact, with a report expected in March 2027.

Pauline Hogarth, chair of Able@NEAS and deputy chair of the National Ambulance Disability Network, said: “All our staff work so hard to deliver excellent patient care and do so despite the difficulties they face themselves. 

“This project recognises that under the banner of neurodiversity, we have a portion of staff who may have neurodivergent conditions.

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“As a Disability Confident Employer, we take the care and support of our staff with disabilities seriously and are excited to be leading this way with this work that will see staff get quick access to targeted support and coaching to help remove the barriers they face and harness their talent in a real way.”

The Neurodiversity Wellbeing Project builds on a pilot in the emergency operations centre, where training increased staff confidence in supporting neurodivergent colleagues.

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It supports the trust’s priorities around staff experience, inclusion and psychological safety.

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Kevin Scollay, CEO at North East Ambulance Service, said: “This funding will make a real difference to our colleagues. 

“By investing in tailored support for neurodiverse staff, we are not only improving individual wellbeing but also strengthening our teams and the care we deliver to patients. 

“This project reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.”

Ellie Orton, CEO of NHS Charities Together, said: “Many NHS staff feel that theirs is the best job in the world, but these roles come with a tremendous responsibility for the lives they care for, and at a time of incredible pressure on health services, this takes a toll on their mental and physical wellbeing.

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“In the face of so many wider healthcare challenges it can be easy to forget about healthcare staff, but it goes without saying that we need a healthy workforce if we want a thriving NHS that can give patients the care they need.

“This funding means NHS charities like the North East Ambulance Service can help ensure NHS staff prioritise their own health and wellness with the same care they give to patients, and we are delighted we can support this important work.”

Orton added: “We’ve spent a lot of time talking to frontline staff and analysing evidence from previous projects to arrive at solutions that will give healthcare staff the right tools to look after their own wellbeing.

“Applications are now open for a second round of grant funding as part of this programme, in partnership with NHS England, and we’re excited to continue our work with NHS charities and other organisations to help the NHS go further for everyone.”

The Neurodiversity Wellbeing Project will start in early 2026, with staff able to use the Genius Finder tool and coaching from February 2026.

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