A parent-led, non-profit group is preparing to hold its first awards celebrating neurodivergent children and young people on the island, Isle of Man Today has reported.
Diverse Minds Community will host the ‘Better Together, Awards of Excellence’ in February 2027. The awards are open to neurodivergent young people aged five to 21, and will also honour the parents, carers and teachers in their lives. Organisers hope to make it a yearly event.
Founder Nichola Whitlam set up the group after two of her children were diagnosed with neurodivergent conditions. It runs regular meetups for parents, an online support community and a resource-sharing service. It has also paid for ten places on online learning courses for children who cannot currently attend mainstream education.
The idea for the awards grew from a conversation with a member of the Miles That Matter team about a similar event elsewhere, according to Isle of Man Today. The evening will recognise milestones, resilience, kindness and progress. Ms Whitlam said the young people would be celebrated not for achievements society usually treats as exceptional, but “because of who they are and the challenges they’ve overcome”.
Ms Whitlam has also campaigned on neurodiversity in schools. In July 2025 she took a petition to Tynwald asking for compulsory neurodiversity training for school and education staff, to be provided on a continuing basis.
The event is supported through Manx Life, Isle of Man Today reported.
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