Difference Matters
Total Investment: £1m from Spring 2025 to 2026
Difference Matters is a new education programme that will support neurodivergent young people in mainstream secondary schools. By empowering young people, raising awareness and making schools more neuro-inclusive environments, the programme aims to improve young people’s experiences of school, reducing absenteeism, suspensions and exclusions.
It is being developed by London’s Violence Reduction Unit and its Young People’s Action Group in partnership with neurodivergent young people, professional experts as well as parents and carers.
This programme builds on our work with the ADHD Foundation to raise awareness of neurodiversity in schools through the London Umbrella Project.
The project provides training, events, uplifting art installations and resources for teachers to help them celebrate neurodiversity and increase understanding among children and staff in 20 schools.
Difference Matters (Model) Report
Difference Matters (Youth Voice) Report
London's Inclusion Charter
Difference Matters will be tested with a £1m budget in seven boroughs from Spring 2025.
This work is part of the VRU’s wider campaign to improve inclusion in schools across the capital. Find out more about London's Inclusion Charter.
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