Around 15% of people in the UK’s general population are neurodivergent; however, it’s estimated that in the creative industries, that figure could be as high as 50%. Building supportive communities for creatives in the city and wider region is key to Creative Cardiff’s work, particularly creatives who are traditionally underserved or have faced barriers to engaging with Creative Cardiff’s events and activity in the past.
Tom Bevan, in partnership with Creative Cardiff, hosts a monthly space for neurodivergent creatives working in the cultural and creative sector in South Wales to come together to work and connect.
Since launching in autumn 2023, DIVERGE has engaged with over 100 creatives and speakers who identify as neurodivergent. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to attend.
DIVERGE lead, Tom Bevan, said:
One of my favourite things about DIVERGE is the community we are building together - sometimes that looks like body doubling to keep ourselves accountable to our deadlines and at other times it's about sharing resources, creative practice, coping strategies or cups of coffee. Each month we get to hear from brilliant neurodivergent creatives at the lunchtime talk, for example we have recently heard from playwright and actor Katie Payne, visual artist Tess Gray, poet and rapper Duke Al, and inclusive journalist researcher Shirish Kulkarni. It's been a joy to work with Creative Cardiff and Tramshed Tech who have been the most brilliant partners, and I'm grateful to Arts Council Wales for supporting the project with their Sharing Together fund.
What to expect at a DIVERGE event
Focused on community-building, a ‘DIVERGE’ event includes coworking, networking, a short talk and Q+A from a fellow neurodivergent creative, and time for peer mentoring and ideas-development.
Each event takes place at The Station in Tramshed Tech, in an informal, open space with desks, plug sockets, hot drinks, cake and plenty of room to work and connect with others.
The space opens at 10:00 and kicks off with optional introductions, getting to know who is in the room and what they’re working on that day. The morning is then followed by a period of coworking, before a talk by a fellow neurodivergent creative over lunchtime. In the afternoon, there’s another opportunity to co-work in the space, finishing with a wrap-up session facilitated by Tom.
You are welcome to drop-in and out throughout the day if you can’t commit to the entire session. Quiet spaces and meeting rooms are also available on request.
Carys Bradley-Roberts, Creative Cardiff Manager, said:
Over the last 18 months, it’s been fantastic to see the supportive community that has started to develop through DIVERGE. Tom has created such a welcoming, valuable space, where there is the option to network and take part in the facilitated sessions, or just come and work quietly, body double and listen. We’re looking forward to seeing how we can further develop the DIVERGE community in future and ensure that neurodivergent creatives feel represented and supported through our work.
