Me + My Normal in Action: MP Kim Leadbeater joins families to talk neurodivergent support

We recently had the pleasure of welcoming MP Kim Leadbeater to Northorpe Hall to spend the morning with local families and young people who are part of our Me + My Normal community.

All of the families attending had previously taken part in Me + My Normal, a pilot programme designed for 11–17-year-old neurodivergent young people. The programme focused on celebrating individuality, building confidence, forming peer connections and exploring what “normal” means in a safe, supportive environment.

Kim spent time speaking directly with parents and young people, listening to their experiences of navigating education, EHCPs and advocacy, and hearing first-hand what support really makes a difference.

Reflecting on the visit, she told us:

“It was a real privilege to meet families taking part in Northorpe Hall’s Me + My Normal programme. I had some powerful conversations with parents and young people about the challenges neurodivergent children can face within education and society, and the importance of creating safe spaces where young people can embrace and celebrate their unique identities.

The feedback from families spoke volumes about the impact of this innovative project, and we are incredibly lucky to have Northorpe Hall Child & Family Trust supporting children and young people across Spen Valley.”

Feedback from the programme has consistently shown how much families value opportunities to stay connected. There is a strong desire for ongoing meetups, both for young people and for parents, to continue building relationships and confidence. This event was a powerful reminder of just how important those spaces are — and how much they’re needed.

Julie Curtis, who supported the delivery of the programme, also reflected on the atmosphere during the morning:

“What struck me was how happy the young people were. It was clear they felt comfortable enough to socialise with one another and with us.”

“The parents I spoke to were so committed to supporting their children and doing everything they can to help them thrive. Being part of this programme means parents no longer feel alone on their neurodivergent journey — they’re able to see the positives, rather than facing the perceived challenges on their own.”

We’re incredibly grateful to Kim Leadbeater for taking the time to listen, engage and support our families, and to everyone who joined us on the day for making it such a positive, meaningful morning.

If reading this has made you think about how you could support young people locally, we’d love to invite you to take the next step.

Next week, we’re hosting a Volunteer Event at Northorpe Hall — an informal opportunity to find out more about volunteering, hear from young people and current volunteers, and explore the different ways you could get involved.

Whether you’re interested in mentoring, supporting events, helping behind the scenes, or contributing your skills in other ways, this is a chance to see what volunteering at Northorpe is really like.

The Volunteer Event takes place on Tuesday 27th January 2026 at The Northorpe Barn, Mirfield, with sessions at 1pm and 6pm to make it as accessible as possible. No prior experience is needed — just an open mind and a willingness to make a difference!

If you’d like to join us, you can register your interest here: https://forms.gle/mR3QDEmTNS8DhzKF8 or email support@northorpe.com if you have any questions.