Umbrella Alliance

04/08/2025

Dear all, I hope this message finds you well.I am writing to formally resign from my position as Director of Umbrella Alliance and to inform you of my decision to begin the process of revoking the charity’s status and closing down its operations.This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make. The past few years have brought immense personal and professional challenges, and after deep reflection, I believe that stepping away is the right path forward. I am immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together through Umbrella Alliance — the lives touched, the awareness raised, and the support we’ve been able to offer. However, sustaining the charity under current circumstances is no longer feasible. As such, I will begin the process of formally dissolving the organisation in line with the relevant regulatory and legal requirements, ensuring everything is handled with care, transparency, and respect for all those involved. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed their time, energy, and passion to Umbrella Alliance. Your support has meant more than words can express, and I remain inspired by the commitment and compassion this community represents. Thank you again for your understanding and for walking this journey with me. Warm regards,
Angela Loynd.
Former Director, Umbrella Alliance

04/12/2024

International Day of Disability

Today, we celebrate the advocates worldwide who’ve worked tirelessly to bring recognition and change for people with disabilities/disabled people. Thanks to their combined efforts, inclusion and accessibility have made some improvements—but we still have a long journey ahead.

True equity and inclusion, especially in education, remains a challenge. Young neurodivergent people continue to face barriers in schools that prevent them from reaching their full potential.

Let’s honour this day by committing to breaking these barriers and creating schools where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

21/10/2024

🎉 Exciting Announcement: New Project Launch! 🎉

We are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking new initiative designed to empower schools in their journey towards becoming more neuro-inclusive. Our latest project will provide schools with a comprehensive audit tool to assess their level of neuro-inclusion, rate themselves against a national landscape, and identify areas for improvement.

But that’s not all! Schools participating in this project will have the opportunity to obtain accreditation as a neurodiversity-affirming institution, showcasing their commitment to creating inclusive and supportive environments for all students.

🌟 What This Project Offers:

☂️ Self-Assessment: Schools can evaluate their current practices and policies around neuro-inclusion.
☂️ National Benchmarking: Compare results with other schools across the country to see where they stand.
☂️ Actionable Insights: Receive tailored recommendations for improvement.
☂️ Accreditation: Earn recognition as a neurodiversity-affirming school, demonstrating your dedication to supporting neurodivergent students.

🌟 Call to Action:

We’re looking for passionate individuals and organisations to join our working group and help shape this initiative. If you’re an educator, neurodiversity advocate, policymaker, researcher, parent, student, or community leader, we want to hear from you! Your expertise and insights will be invaluable in making this project a success.

Potential Stakeholders:

☂️ Educators and School Administrators ☂️ Neurodiversity Advocates ☂️ Policymakers and Government Agencies ☂️ Researchers in Education and Neurodiversity ☂️ Parents and Caregivers ☂️ Students
☂️ Non-Profit Organisations Focused on Education ☂️ Community Leaders and Parent Associations

If you’re interested in contributing to this transformative project, please express your interest by contacting us at office@umbrellaalliance.org.

Umbrella Alliance - creating a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all students!

16/10/2024

Join the Movement: ‘RISE’ for Neuro-Inclusive Schools!

Hey there! Imagine a world where every school truly embraces neurodivergent students – where they feel understood, supported, and able to thrive…

Well, that world starts with *RISE*.

This isn’t just some audit or boring checklist. *RISE* is a game-changing movement that gives schools the tools to measure, improve, and showcase their commitment to neuro-inclusion.
By hopping on board with *RISE* schools can track their progress, show off what they're doing right, and get all the resources they need to support every student’s unique needs. Parents get peace of mind knowing their children are in environments that ‘get them,’ while policymakers can finally make the changes we’ve all been asking for.

What’s RISE All About?

*RISE* stands for Recognising Inclusion and Support in Education. It’s a groundbreaking initiative that’s here to make sure schools are celebrating neuro-inclusion in a real way – not just ticking boxes. We’re giving schools the support, tools, and know-how to make sure every student feels like they belong and can shine.

Why Should You Care?

Let’s be real – schools haven’t always done the best job supporting neurodivergent students. They’re often missing the understanding or tools to make their environment inclusive. This is where *RISE* comes in. We’re here to help schools fix those gaps and build spaces where neurodivergent students can thrive.

Why Does This Matter?

☂️ SupportingStudents: Neurodivergent students often feel out of place in traditional school settings. *RISE* helps schools see where they're falling short, so they can make changes that really matter.

☂️ Better Choices for Parents: Parents deserve to know how inclusive their child’s school is. With *RISE*, they’ll get the insights they need to make the best choice for their kids’ education.

☂️ Making Policy Changes Happen: Data is power. *RISE* will provide schools with real insights that will help shape better policies and make sure neurodivergent students get the support they need.

☂️ Schools Get the Help They Needs: Many schools want to do better but just don’t know how. *RISE* gives them the training, recommendations, and resources to make meaningful changes.

☂️ Creating an Inclusive Society: When we foster inclusion in schools, we’re helping to build a society that values and embraces neurodivergent people – and that’s something we all want to be a part of.

Ready to Join Us?

Now, here’s where you come in. We need passionate people like you to be part of this movement. *RISE* is your chance to make a real difference in education and help schools become more inclusive. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just someone who cares about creating a better future for neurodivergent students, we’d love to have you join our working group.

Sound good? Fill out the Expression of Interest (EOI) form below, and let’s work together to make sure every student gets the chance to RISE and shine.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQ6XflnL9Buvdyajr0AxyNrZdRSAjp7Gw8m_tUdTkvC6Msig/viewform

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