Jess & Kyle are walking the entire Norfolk coast from Hunstanton to Great Yarmouth and camping along the way.

They are trying to raise funds for 'Art Branches'- a Suffolk community interest non-profit that supports people in recovery from mental ill health. They do this through mindful interaction with the environment and the arts. Offering free creative workshops and courses outside in nature.
Their aim is to aid community well-being and social inclusiveness. Art Branches has helped Jess immeasurably in her recovery after becoming unwell then receiving an autism diagnosis.

Please check out their website below:

https://artbranches.org/

Neuro-divergency:
More than 1 in 100 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum. For every 3 diagnosed autistic children there are thought to be another 2 who are undiagnosed.

For every 100 people in the UK 3-4 of them have ADHD and there are 131,000 people on the waitlist for an assessment and no capacity.

Autism and ADHD affects the ability to executive function (planning and prioritising, time management, working memory, impulse control, task initiation, self regulation, flexible thinking, attention & focus). This is often accompanied with sensory difficulties; being over sensitive or under sensitive to sounds, touch, smells, heat, balance, light and taste.

Autism affects some people's ability to read facial expressions, understand body language and understand abstract concepts like metaphors and implied meaning.

The world isn't designed with neurodivergent people in mind so many people often have multiple co-morbidities; anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders and severe loneliness.

Up to 92% of women with ASD and ADHD also have severe premenstrual disorders which cause depression and can be life threatening.

If you yourself aren't neurodivergent, a friend, co-worker or a family member will be, whether knowingly or unknowingly.

Creating a better world starts with compassion and compassion starts with understanding.