Puxton Park Becomes an Inclusive Employer!

Weston College have launched their new ‘Become an Inclusive Employer’ workshops, where employers are provided with the knowledge and skills to support neurodiverse employees and customers. This allows employers to access untapped talent in the workplace, and create an inclusive environment for customers.

Puxton Park are one of the many employers who have undertaken the workshop, and the impact it has already had on their business is incredible. The park, which attracts over 450,000 visitors every year, has made it their mission to ensure that new play equipment, infrastructure and daily operations are as inclusive and accessible as possible. Investments such as an accessible roundabout, which can be used by children of mixed abilities, as well as a state-of-the-art wheelchair accessible trampoline have already been made, alongside wide paved paths throughout the park for wheelchair access.

Since attending the inclusive employer workshop, new ideas and initiatives have been developed to best support the neurodiverse community. The concept of neurodiversity aims to reduce stigma around learning and thinking difficulties, and encourages viewing differences in the brain as differences rather than defects. One of the new additions to the park to support neurodiverse customers is an investment in Ear Defenders which can be rented out free of charge.

Georgina Francis, Operations Manager of Puxton Park, says: “Being an inclusive attraction has always been extremely important to us. We have worked closely with Weston College and have had the privilege of taking part in their neurodiversity training workshops. This training was enlightening and informative and opened our eyes to the opportunities and initiatives we can take part in to best support the disabled and neurodiverse communities. We continue to grow our business partnership with Weston College and thank them for their continued support.” Read their full story, here!

We are so thrilled at the impact of these workshops on the businesses who are taking part; sign up for the Inclusive Employer workshops, here.

Nicola Lace, the SEND Operations Manager, commented: “We are so thrilled at the long lasting impact this is having on the employers who attend our sessions, and how this is contributing to the inclusivity in their businesses. In 2023 we will be hosting 5 sessions, with the potential to add more with demand, as we seek to support businesses across the region to adopt best practice and create a more inclusive environment for their colleagues and customers.”