Launched in October 2026, the charity’s programme has been designed to help UK organisations make practical workplace and customer-facing adjustments. These are adjustments that will empower neurodivergent employees to perform at their best, while helping businesses improve their own recruitment process, retain staff and boost and customer loyalty.

Diane Johnson, founder of EnFold, said: “Great talent is often overlooked, not because people lack ability, but because workplaces are not designed to support different ways of thinking. Autistic and neurodivergent people can bring loyalty, focus, creativity, determination, attention to detail and valuable alternative perspectives to the workplace. But those benefits can only be fully realised when individuals receive the practical support they need to do their best work.

The business case is well evidenced: research from global consultancy Deloitte shows that organisations getting neuro-inclusion right see productivity gains of up to 30% and are 75% more likely to bring new ideas successfully to market – alongside stronger staff retention and loyalty from neurodivergent customers.

Diane believes that reasonable adjustments are often treated as a narrow checklist. An organisation might say that it offers extra time at interview, for example, without asking what an individual actually needs.

“In practice, an adjustment might involve changing lighting, providing a different chair, offering a quieter space, improving written information or allowing movement breaks. The right solution will be different for every person and every organisation… Our role is to help organisations understand what will make a practical difference and then support them to put those changes into place.” 

Diane is keen to point out that many organisations will have already invested in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) training, but it is what happens afterwards that can make all the difference.

“Without ongoing support and implementation, training can become a one-off, tick-box exercise, with limited focus on the practical adjustments that enable people to thrive… Our Neurofriendly Programme helps organisations move beyond good intentions and put practical support into place, creating the conditions in which autistic and neurodivergent people can perform at their best while helping businesses build stronger, more resilient workforces.”  (Diane Johnson)

EnFold’s ambition is for its new Neurofriendly Programme to become a recognised benchmark for neuro-inclusive organisations across Northamptonshire and beyond.

Membership of the programme provides organisations with practical recognition and ongoing support, including:

• A listing on EnFold’s preferred supplier directory, showing the organisation’s current accreditation status

• A Neurofriendly membership badge for use on websites and social media

• Window stickers to demonstrate a commitment to neuro-inclusive customers and visitors

• Access to free resources and exclusive training opportunities

• Annual audits to help ensure standards are maintained

Businesses, public services and community organisations can find out more about the Neurofriendly Programme at https://enfold.org.uk/neurofriendly-programme

Or contact EnFold by emailing jaki@enfold.org or calling 07484 561659.