Passionate. Creative. Collaborative.

About

WayMakers

We champion difference, support those with the whole body-mind experience of neurodivergence and act as catalysts for neuroinclusion. Our support is for autistic and AuDHD people, and those around them.

Passionate. Creative. Collaborative.

We champion difference, support those with the whole body-mind experience of neurodivergence and act as catalysts for neuroinclusion. Our support is for autistic and AuDHD people, and those around them.

Who, what and where is WayMakers?

WayMakers is a neurodivergent-led Community Interest Company. It was incorporated in July 2020 and is in Barnstaple, North Devon.

Our vision is to create a world where neuroinclusion is the norm. A world where:

there are opportunities for everyone to flourish;
inclusive spaces and practices flow throughout communities, schools and workplaces;
society values and celebrates neurodiversity.

WayMakers’ board includes one paid Director, Alex Kelly, and three non-executive directors.

Our operations team is comprised of Alex, two part-time employees, and five freelance associates:

Alex Kelly: Founder and director – Alex delivers coaching, workshops and consultancy. She also co-leads RISE alongside the RISE Leaders, and facilitates the PINN Forum.
Bec Symonds: Operations Coordinator.
Katie Poile: Administrator and PINN Forum Coordinator.
Anna Lewis: group activity project support – RISE and community events
Sian Spencer: specialist mentor and circle facilitator (teen NMR Group)
Rachel Shaw: neurodiversity coach
Bryony Lewis: RISE support
RISE Leaders: 10 neurodivergent young people, aged 15 to 23, who are co-designers and co-leaders of RISE (Raising Inclusion Standards for Everyone) — see the RISE website page. They also codesigned RISE With Me cards — read about them here.

We are grateful for the support of a voluntary Community Advisor, Lynsey Southern. Lynsey is Knowledge & Library Service Manager and Neurodiversity Staff Network Chair for the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (RDUH) and a former coachee whom we supported with strategy coaching as a neurodivergent professional.

There is a lived experience of neurodivergence throughout our team, and several team members are also former clients. Between us, we have expertise in:

supported employment, counselling, education, family support, bereavement support, outreach work, social work, and accountancy.

About Alex Kelly, Founder & Director

Alex Kelly worked in secondary education for 20 years. She taught in mainstream schools and alternative provisions, including a Pupil Referral Unit.

In her last role, Alex led a successful specialist provision for secondary aged autistic learners who had missed long periods of their education and become cut off from peer connections. Its success hinged on recognising:

the breadth of influences on each learner, in their life circumstances;
how each individual experienced and responded to the world around them;
what inspired and ignited their passions.

Seeing the ‘whole’ person through a biopsychosocial lens, Alex designed and delivered bespoke, person-centred learning and support packages.

Alex loves to locate that sought-after sweet spot — one that flexes to a person’s needs and plays to their strengths. She believes this is the route to success and fulfilment. for individuals and for the world to which they contribute.

EMCC Associate Member.
Experienced specialist strategy coach.
Endorsed training provider (Skills for Care).
Trained specialist and Provision Lead in autism and SEMH needs.
Trauma-informed practitioner.
Level 3 Safeguarding trained.

The Assessment and Risk Assessment of Children and Young People in Crisis Level 2 (APT).
Fully insured & enhanced DBS.
Qualified and experienced secondary level teacher of 20 years mainstream, Pupil Referral Unit & specialist provision.

One Page Profile

We believe life’s transitions should be a springboard instead of a barrier.

What our clients’ say

I’ve found so much more focus and productivity, I feel like I’ve opened up new capacity I didn’t know I had! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend WayMakers to all!

Adult screening consultation client

Alex’s passion and knowledge of the subject is infectious. Feeling much more confident. There are so many things to go away and think about in order to provide a more inclusive space.

Workshop attendee

Alex allowed me the space and time to express my feelings without judgement. She was clear in providing strategies to help me cope. She really understood what I was struggling with and provided simple resources to help me.

Coachee

You were very good at talking me through things that I could do differently in a fair and balanced way. You were also really good at assisting when I needed to talk to my line manager, helping me to self-advocate and to convey my needs.

Work Coaching Client