16/03/2026
This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, and we’re really proud to introduce Greg, Silver Assist Homecare’s Neurodiversity & Inclusion Champion 💙
Neurodiversity is the idea that people think, learn, and experience the world in different ways — and those differences should be recognised, respected, and supported.
Did you know that it’s estimated that around 1 in 7 people are neurodivergent? This includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and other neurological differences.
At Silver Assist, we believe that creating an inclusive and understanding workplace helps everyone thrive. Neurodivergent people often bring incredible strengths such as creativity, attention to detail, honesty, and unique ways of solving problems.
Greg has kindly agreed to share a little about his own journey and experiences in the post below. By sharing his story, we hope to raise awareness, encourage understanding, and remind people that nobody should feel alone in their experiences.
Thank you Greg for helping us open up this important conversation 🌟
"My name is Greg, and I’m proud to be the Neurodiversity & Inclusion Champion at Silver Assist Homecare.
For most of my life, I knew I was different, but I didn’t understand why. Growing up in the 1970s, school was an incredibly difficult experience for me. The way lessons were taught simply didn’t match the way my mind worked. Hours of repetitive copying from a chalkboard and very little interaction meant I struggled to stay engaged. Because of that, I was often labelled as someone who wasn’t trying or wasn’t very bright.
The reality was very different. I just learned differently.
Some of my experiences at school were quite negative and left a lasting impact. Teachers often became frustrated with me, and I was frequently criticised for not paying attention or not behaving the way they expected. These experiences knocked my confidence and left me feeling misunderstood from a very young age.
I left school with very few qualifications and very little belief in myself. Over the years I moved through different jobs, trying to find something that captured my interest. At 19 I joined the RAF to experience something different and hopefully build a better future. While I appreciated the routine and structure, I still often felt like I didn’t quite fit in and sometimes found myself in trouble simply because I approached things differently from others.
Social situations have also been challenging for me. I’ve often found small talk difficult and spent much of my life “masking” — copying the behaviours and mannerisms of others in order to appear more typical. Many neurodivergent people do this to try to fit in, but it can be exhausting.
After many years of questioning why life felt this way, I began exploring whether I might be neurodivergent. Following a two-year assessment process with the NHS, I was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. That diagnosis helped answer many questions about my life and the experiences I’d had.
One thing that has always been important to me is honesty, integrity, and fairness. I care deeply about justice and about people being treated with understanding and respect.
I wanted to take on the role of Neurodiversity & Inclusion Champion because I know how difficult it can be to feel misunderstood or unsupported. If I can help someone recognise their own experiences earlier, feel safe to talk about them, or know that they’re not alone, then sharing my story will have been worthwhile.
Autism doesn’t define who I am — it’s simply part of my life. And no two people on the spectrum are the same."
