KEYNOTE speakers are to share their own lived experiences at a Newcastle-under-Lyme business networking event, which will focus on health, wellbeing and neurodiversity in the workplace.

Steph Talbot is the Co-founder of Loui’s Kitchen, which was set up to provide a place of employment for her grandson Loui, who has autism. Steph will be sharing an insight into the challenges which have been faced by her family when seeking employment opportunities for Loui.

Other speaker at the event - which takes place at Keele University on Thursday 20 November, and is being organised by Connects Network - is Jodie Steele, of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Jodie will be drawing on her lived experience with Functional Neurological Disorder and ADHD, and why she has set up the online platform Alchemy Souls Travel, which is dedicated to empowering neurodivergent and wellness-focused travellers.

Steph said: “Talking about neurodiversity at Connects Network isn’t just about sharing Loui’s story and successes, it’s an opportunity to reach a wider community.

“To encourage others to take steps that help more people thrive in inclusive workplaces and spark a conversation that turns understanding into action across different organisations.”

Jodie added: “I’m excited to speak at Connects at Keele to help share the reality of high performance from the inside - the pace and the cost, and the turning points where success and health collide.

“I’ll be talking about how I learned to work with my wiring, not against it, and how redefining success on my own terms helped me regain balance. Most importantly, I want to help colleagues and workplaces understand how supporting people who think differently allows everyone to thrive.”