Hay Festival and Ruskin Mill Trust have joined forces for the second year running to launch Autism: Re-imagining Our Potential, a two-day event to explore and celebrate neurodiversity, taking place Friday 19 and Saturday 20 July 2019 at Ruskin Mill, Nailsworth.
Aimed at parents and professionals, the conference will feature talks, panels, performances and workshops that offer new perspectives on autism, creativity and engagement. Delegates will also work alongside students to experience the therapeutic and productive aspects of craftwork.
Speakers and performers, announced today, include: Kathy Lette, known for her regular appearances on BBC and Sky news programmes and an ambassador for the National Autistic Society as well as Plan International; Dr. Anna Kennedy OBE, an educator who has worked tirelessly to provide an improved education and other facilities for children with autism spectrum disorders; and Mikey Kay, a well know multi-media journalist responsible for the film ‘My Autistic Big Brother and Me’, a documentary telling the moving story of Mikey’s 47 year old brother who finds peace in epic walks across the majestic, rugged welsh terrain.
Aonghus Gordon, founder of Ruskin Mill Trust and Chair of Trustees, said: "Ruskin Mill Trust continues to grow and evolve to meet emerging needs and is pleased to see this view reflected with such diverse speakers and topics. We are committed to ensure that all our children and students are given a chance to realize their potential by broadening the conversation on neurodiversity, which has been described by American author Steve Silberman as the human rights challenge of the twenty first century."
Andy Fryers, sustainability director at Hay Festival, said: "We are excited to be build on our work with Ruskin Mill Trust with this unique two-day event. Having spent time working with theTrust to fine tune our own offer for neurodiversity at our events in Wales, we recognise a need to invite debate and discovery around best practice and new guidance, which we hope the conference will offer."
To order tickets and for more information visit here. To find out more about Hay Festival's work with Ruskin Mill Trust visit here.
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