April - Neurodiversity Awareness Month
TransPennine Express is filled with brilliant people. Each of whom is unique, whether this be due to their background, personal characteristics, experience, skills or motivations. We value the differences each of our colleagues bring to TPE and how these differences can be powerful.
In the UK, one in seven people are neurodivergent, which amounts to 15 percent of Britain’s population. Neurodivergent means that a person’s brain may function, process, and learn information in a different way from someone who is “neurotypical”.
At TransPennine Express, we are committed to supporting all of our colleagues to be proud of who they are at work and be able to thrive.
Earlier this year, we were thrilled to officially launch our Neurodiversity Network Group (NNG) and introduce you to our 10 founding members. This group has now grown to 25 members, all of whom are sharing their experiences of living with neurodiversity or how they actively support those who live with neurodiverse conditions. The group aims to raise awareness about adjustments that can be made for colleagues, as well as help guide TPE towards becoming a more inclusive employer.
Furthermore, all the People directorate and some other colleagues across the business attended neurodiversity training within the last year. This specialised training facilitated by The Brain Charity, was conducted by one of their Associate Trainers, possessing firsthand experience with a neurodivergent condition. The training taught TPE colleagues about the history of neurodiversity and disability, the top 7 neurodiverse conditions, and how different conditions can present themselves in the workplace. Colleagues in HR provided feedback on how they now feel better equipped to support other colleagues who may be neurodiverse.
Whilst acknowledging there is more to do, the benefits of the activities above in creating an inclusive and open environment have already been demonstrated. In the most recent colleague engagement survey, 13.5% of colleagues who responded declared they had a neurodiverse condition. Of those, 84% said they felt supported by their line manager, 72% said they feel like they can be themselves at work and 69% said they know what support is available to help their mental health and wellbeing.
TransPennine Express will continue to share more personal stories from their colleagues to raise awareness and work with the Neurodiversity Network Group to make inclusive change to benefit all colleagues.
