Nexus Tribe's Inspiring Visit to Somerset House
At The Neurodiversity Family Hub, our mission is to create spaces where young people with neurodiverse needs can connect, explore, and grow. Recently, our Nexus Tribe - an inclusive social group for 16-25-year-olds - visited Somerset House for The Lore of LOVERBOY exhibition, an experience that truly embodied our goals.
An inclusive experience
We were fortunate to attend a Relaxed Session, specifically designed to create a welcoming environment for individuals with neurodiverse needs. Somerset House made thoughtful adjustments, such as lowering the volume of audio-visual elements, providing clear warnings for potentially triggering areas, and offering a breakout safe space. These accommodations were invaluable in ensuring that everyone felt comfortable and included.
The access packs provided by Somerset House were another thoughtful touch. These small tote bags contained noise-cancelling headphones, clipboards for creative engagement, and fidget toys—tools that allowed our participants to interact with the exhibition in their own way. As one of our participants, FA, shared, "I liked the drawing and seeing all the clothes. I’d never seen something like that before."
A glimpse into the fashion industry
The Lore of LOVERBOY exhibition itself was a vibrant exploration of fashion powerhouse Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY. It offered our young people a rare glimpse into the artistry and creativity behind the fashion industry. For many, it was an eye-opening experience. "I liked it, I really liked it. I liked the costumes even though they were a bit scary" said EJ.
A highlight of our visit was meeting Ed Leeds, Assistant Visitor Experience Manager at Somerset House. Ed took the time to discuss career opportunities at Somerset House, including a current vacancy for a Visitor Experience Assistant. One of our participants left the exhibition inspired by the art and the possibility of joining the Somerset House team. We're now guiding him through the application process, reflecting the core purpose of Nexus Tribe: helping young people take their next best step.
More than just a day out
Our outing to Somerset House was more than just a day out; it was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusive, supportive environments. We are deeply grateful to Somerset House for their efforts to make this experience accessible and enriching for all.
To our donors, families, and supporters: this is the impact of your support. Nexus Tribe is about fostering growth, inspiration, and belonging. We invite others to join us by signing up for our next offering and continuing to support our work. Together, we can create more moments like these. Thank you for making it all possible.