Neurodiversity - Diversity is key to our success!

It seems like neurodiversity has become a buzz word or a trend in recent months. You may have a ‘FYP’ on your socials that shows endless reels of ‘Life with ADHD’, or ‘Things that may show you have ADHD’.

While viewing this kind of content can help some people to feel seen, it can have the opposite effect where people do not wish to disclose their neurodiversity, to avoid comments such as ‘Everyone has autism’ or words to that effect.

At TES, we believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our team. After all,

Together Everyone Succeeds!

As we continuously strive to innovate and enhance our railway infrastructure, it’s crucial to recognise the invaluable contributions of neurodiverse individuals to our workforce.

Neurodiversity refers to the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioural traits, including conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more. Embracing neurodiversity isn’t just a matter of inclusivity; it’s a strategic advantage that fuels creativity and problem-solving.

Neurodiverse employees often bring unique perspectives and skills that can lead to ground-breaking innovations. For instance, individuals with autism may exhibit exceptional attention to detail and pattern recognition, making them invaluable in optimising our safety protocols and identifying areas for improvement in our training programmes.

Similarly, those with ADHD can offer dynamic and out-of-the-box thinking, which is crucial for addressing complex challenges in our infrastructure projects.

At TES we are taking leaps to support inclusion as we understand the dynamics and superpowers that come along with being neurodiverse. Check out some of the things we have been involved with since our last newsletter!

• TES are working toward to achieve our Level 2 Disability Confident Award, whilst we are at level 1 now, we want to fully commit to our inclusive practices in partnership with Shaw Trust .
• We have further explored our training inclusive practices and put these into, well, practice! This means that those with an additional need will be able to request a reader if they are dyslexic for example.
• Our CEO and Founder, Tony Evans , recently gained his Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), along with neurodiversity awareness training further demonstrating TES’ commitment to inclusive practices from the tippy top!

Our People Director, Bianca Molloy BSc(H) MA MCIPD MHFA has been successfully elected as secretary for the Rail Industry Neuro-inclusive Community (RINC) and should hear from them soon to gain further insight in how we as a business can progress further with our understanding and commitment to every colleague!

To fully harness the potential of neurodiversity, TES is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment.

This includes:

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By doing so, we not only empower our neurodiverse team members to thrive but also enhance our collective ability to innovate and excel.

So, what benefits do neurodivergent people bring to the workplace?

Embracing neurodiversity within the railway industry can bring a wealth of benefits, particularly when it comes to training and infrastructure development. Neurodiverse individuals often possess unique strengths that can significantly enhance the efficiency and creativity of operations.

Here are some key benefits:

Creativity

Neurodiverse team members frequently exhibit exceptional creativity, which can be invaluable in developing innovative solutions for complex railway problems. Their ability to see things from different perspectives can lead to ground-breaking ideas in infrastructure design and safety protocols.

Thinking outside the box

Problem-solving is essential in the railway industry, and neurodiverse individuals often excel at thinking outside the box. Their non-linear approach to challenges can uncover new methods for improving efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing passenger experiences.

Making connections to lead to bigger ideas

The ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated concepts is a hallmark of neurodiverse thinking. This can lead to larger, more comprehensive ideas that improve railway systems. For example, linking technology from different fields could result in the development of more advanced safety features or more efficient training programmes.

Empathy

Empathy is another strength often found in neurodiverse individuals. This trait can lead to better customer service and a deeper understanding of passenger needs. In turn, this can influence the design of more user-friendly infrastructure and services.

People skills

Strong interpersonal skills are crucial in any industry and neurodiverse individuals can bring unique perspectives in this area. Their ability to connect with others and understand different viewpoints can foster a more inclusive and collaborative workplace, enhancing team performance and morale.

Integrating neurodiversity into the railway sector not only promotes a more inclusive workplace but also harnesses a range of cognitive strengths that can drive innovation and improvement in training and infrastructure.

The cameras rolled at TES HQ in Colchester recently to film our inclusive recruitment and business practices because of our partnership with the NHS IPS (Individual Placement and Support) programme.

NHS IPS helps to provide opportunities for those that may otherwise find themselves not being able to access sustainable, paid and meaningful work.

We have formed a strong partnership with NHS IPS Employment Specialists and recently we were able to offer one of the programme’s candidate a role with us.

“It was really lovely to see our candidate doing his training yesterday and I wanted to thank you so much for inviting Sharif and myself to come and do the filming on your premises”. Karen Hatcher , IPS Employment Specialist

The relationship we have formed to strengthen our talent pool led to the NHS team bringing a film crew to our offices and spending the day filming our trainers Will Evans and Kevin Hawkins, along with our delegates in training to showcase our inclusive business practices.

“It was such an inspiring day spent at TES 2000. A privilege speaking to our candidate and hearing his feedback about how happy he is to be in a job with an employer where he feels so valued and doing something he is really interested in. Ultimately, the service we provide is trying to match things up to give the best possible chance for long term sustainable employment”. Sharif Sharif Al-ani , IPS Employment Specialist, Vocational Manager

The NHS IPS Employment Specialists invited TES to their Essex Employment Services celebration event in July, where P/Way Manager Ryan Raymond and Talent Acquisition Partner Carley Anderson attended as special guest speakers. This was a wonderful opportunity to address an attentive audience about the strong and collaborative relationship we have cultivated with the IPS Employment Specialists throughout the Essex region.

By valuing and supporting the unique strengths of all our employees, we pave the way for a more robust, innovative and resilient railway system.

Let’s continue to celebrate and harness the power of neurodiversity as we embark on this exciting journey together.

Sharing experiences is so important - Through opening conversations around neurodiversity, it is amazing the connections that can be made. Whether it is your uncle who has dyslexia, your daughter who has autism, your niece who has ADHD, your mum who has dyspraxia, most people can relate and the support you can receive once you start sharing can be life changing. If you would like a confidential chat with the People and Culture team, or your line manager, then please get in touch.

Recommended reference Material for children:

Understanding & Managing AUTISM in Children The Ultimate Guide to Autism in Girls and Boys, Olivia Harris

When I feel Angry – A Child’s Guide to Understanding and Managing Moods, Poppy O’Neill.