Mirfield and Cleckheaton support group for neurodivergent women and parents is MP’s Charity of the Month

Shared Spectrum received £200 from the MP for Spen Valley, who visited both groups to meet the community and present the donation.

The community interest company supports neurodivergent and perimenopausal women, alongside parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people across West Yorkshire.

It runs two dedicated peer-support groups, providing an opportunity for people to connect with others who understand their experiences, share openly and feel less alone. The groups are open to people who are diagnosed, waiting for an assessment or exploring their own experiences of neurodivergence.

Natalie Matharu, founder of Shared Spectrum, said: “To be able to create groups that meet such a real need is incredibly important to me. Seeing women come into a room and realise they are not the only one who feels the way they do, or seeing parents find people who completely understand the challenges they are facing with their children, is something really special.

“It’s about connection. It’s about helping people feel less alone and less isolated in their own journey.

“I think there is something really powerful about showing women, and showing our children, that we can show up as ourselves, be heard and be seen, accepted and valued for who we are. We’re not going anywhere, and we shouldn’t have to hide who we are to fit into the world around us.

“To see that connection growing and to watch Shared Spectrum expand into more communities is a really precious thing to be able to create and see grow.

“The £200 donation will make a real difference to us as a small community organisation. It will help with the practical costs of keeping our groups running and creating spaces where people feel comfortable, welcomed and safe.

“But the recognition means just as much. For Kim to take the time to visit both groups, meet the women and parents who attend and see first-hand why these spaces are needed means a great deal to us.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Kim for choosing Shared Spectrum, and to everyone who has supported us, attended a group or helped someone else find us.”

Shared Spectrum’s neurodivergent and perimenopausal women’s group is for women aged 18 and over, including those who are diagnosed, waiting for an assessment or exploring their own experiences of neurodivergence and the impact of perimenopause.

Its parents’ group is for parents and carers of neurodivergent children and young people, providing an opportunity to connect with other parents who understand the realities of navigating life with a neurodivergent child.

More information about Shared Spectrum and its groups is available at www.sharedspectrum.org.uk.