Unmasked Neurodiversity Network CIC, Unmasked NN CIC, Leeds (2025)

26/12/2025

📚 Unmasked Book Club is starting next month

We’re really pleased to be launching our Unmasked Book Club, a relaxed, pressure-free space to read, listen, and connect.

Our first book will be The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary.

You can read it in whatever way works best for you, paperback, ebook, or audiobook. There’s no right or wrong way to take part.

At the end of the month, we’ll meet online for an informal, friendly chat about the book, the characters, and anything it brought up for you. There’s no prep, no pressure, and no expectation to speak if you’d rather just listen.

This is about gentle connection, shared stories, and taking a little time for yourself.

If you’d like to sign up, please leave a comment below ⬇️

26/12/2025

That strange in-between week can feel unsettling.

Routines disappear, days blur together, and there’s often pressure to feel grateful, productive, or social.

You’re allowed to slow down. You don’t need to make plans, reflect deeply, or set goals right now.

We’re here for softness, not pressure.

25/12/2025

Christmas can be a lot.

If you’re navigating overwhelm, family expectations, loneliness, sensory overload, or mixed emotions, you’re not doing it wrong. There is no “right” way to get through today.

Gentle is enough. Opting out is allowed. Rest is valid.

From all of us at Unmasked, we’re holding space for you this Christmas. 💛

24/12/2025

If this time of year feels heavy, overwhelming, or lonely, you don’t have to cope on your own. Support is available, even over Christmas.

If you are in immediate danger:
Please call 999.

You can reach out to:

• Samaritans – 24/7 support
Call 116 123
Free, confidential, for anyone who needs to talk

• NHS 111
For urgent mental health support and advice

• Shout – text support, 24/7
Text SHOUT to 85258
For free, confidential text support

• Your GP out-of-hours service
Available via your GP surgery or NHS 111

If calling feels hard, texting or online support can be a gentler first step.

If you’re able to, reaching out to someone you trust, a friend, family member, or support worker, can also help.

You matter. You’re not a burden. And it’s okay to ask for help.

From all of us at Unmasked, we’re holding space for you this Christmas. 💛

24/12/2025

Christmas can be a lot.

If you’re navigating overwhelm, family expectations, loneliness, sensory overload, or mixed emotions, you’re not doing it wrong. There is no “right” way to get through today.

Gentle is enough. Opting out is allowed. Rest is valid.

From all of us at Unmasked, we’re holding space for you this Christmas. 💛

#ʏᴏᴜᴀʀᴇɴᴏᴛᴀʟᴏɴᴇ

23/12/2025

Have you been thinking about counselling?
Have you had counselling before and not felt understood?

At Unmasked, we offer neuro-affirming, trauma-informed one-to-one counselling rooted in lived experience. Many people come to us after feeling unseen or misunderstood in traditional therapy spaces.

Our counselling is for adults and includes options with both qualified counsellors and student counsellors in training. You do not need to be neurodivergent to access our low-cost counselling service.

Whether you are experiencing anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, relationship stress, work-related issues, or simply need a safe space to talk, you are welcome here.

Counselling sessions are confidential, non-judgemental, and tailored to your needs. We offer in-person sessions in East Leeds and online counselling available across the UK.

Find out more and self-refer here:
https://unmaskednn.co.uk/counselling

17/12/2025

sarah_mckimm_counselling sarah_mckimm_counsellingArrived at the office to find these on my desk! 😂😂

17/12/2025

Our December zine is here.

This month’s issue is all about community, creativity, and getting through December gently. Inside, you’ll find real voices from our community, reflections on neurodivergent wellbeing, creative expression, and reminders that you don’t have to do this season alone.

We’d love to know what resonated for you and what you’d like to see in future issues. If you’d like to be involved in next month’s zine, whether through writing, artwork, lived experience, or ideas, please get in touch.

Read the December issue link in comments:

12/12/2025

A Book a Month, Your Way

We’re launching our Unmasked Book & Self-Care Club this December and we’re inviting you to join us for a gentle book-a-month challenge.

You read or listen to the book in your own time, in whatever way works for you.
We then meet once a month to chat about the book, share thoughts, reflections and anything it stirred up.

No pressure.
No homework.
No reading aloud.
Just cosy connection, reflection and community.

You get to choose our very first read
We’ve shortlisted three easy-to-get-into, much-loved books that work brilliantly in print or audio:

Option 1: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Option 2: The Midnight Library
Option 3: The Flatshare

When: Last Wednesday of every month
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Where: Online on Zoom
Audiobooks welcome
Cameras optional
ND-affirming, low-pressure space

How to vote
Comment 1, 2 or 3, or message us if that feels easier.

Everyone who joins will be invited into a new community WhatsApp group, a gentle ND-safe space to chat about the book, share thoughts, ask questions and stay connected between sessions. Joining the WhatsApp group is completely optional.

Have a suggestion for a future month?
We’d love to hear it, pop it in the comments or send us a DM.

This is a self-care space, not a productivity challenge.
Read it, listen to it, dip in and out, come as you are.

Who’s in for a book a month with us?

11/12/2025

FUNDING UPDATE

We wanted to keep everyone updated.

Today we found out that our latest National Lottery Community Fund application wasn’t successful. This was difficult news, especially because this funding helps us cover the essential costs of keeping the Unmasked Hub open while we continue building long-term sustainability.

We know many of you are waiting for groups, counselling and community support, so please know this doesn’t change our commitment to you. We’re not giving up. We will be applying again and exploring every possible option to keep our services running long into the future- our low cost counselling is still open.

We’ve been a little quieter on here recently, but behind the scenes we’ve been working incredibly hard. We’re building our room-hire offer, growing our low-cost counselling, strengthening partnerships and putting solid foundations in place to help us become more self-sufficient over time.

Our recent survey of over 100 neurodivergent adults showed just how important ND-affirming, accessible support is in East Leeds — so even though this was a setback, our mission remains the same.

Thank you to everyone who supports us, shares our work and believes in what we’re doing. Your encouragement genuinely keeps us going, and we’ll keep you updated as we take our next steps.

Unmasked Neurodiversity Network CIC

26/12/2025

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