Soho Media Club presents Safe Space Sessions: Embracing neurodiversity for HETV

18th - 24th March, 2024 marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week. To encourage understanding and highlight the importance of neurodivergent individuals working within the High-end Television industry, we invite you to join us for an evening of insightful and honest conversation.  

Taking place on 20th March 2024 at Escape Studios, Greenwich, it’s an opportunity to celebrate minds that think differently. There’ll be time and space to talk openly about how we can continue to push forward and embrace neurodiversity within the high television industry. 

Our expert panelists will share their personal journeys and experiences of working in front of and behind the camera and will explore neuro-inclusion from different angles. 

Our panelists will share advice on key topics, including:  

• Masking: The impact of masking and how to be your authentic self on set
• Self-Advocating: The importance of self-advocating and benefits of asking for help despite anxiety
• Inclusion: How productions can listen more and allow neurodivergent individuals to be themselves in all capacities 

We’ll also talk openly about the current status quo and address: 

• Where are we now? How is the industry doing in terms of representation, inclusivity and allowing different needs to be met?
• Misconceptions: What are the biggest misconceptions of people who are neurodivergent?
• Looking to the future: What changes do we need to see in the high end TV industry to create opportunities for neurodivergent people? 

And, we’ll be looking at how we move towards a brighter future:  

• Breaking barriers: What advice would you give to neurodivergent people who want to break into the industry?
• Making progress: How do we continue to push forward and embrace neurodiversity in the creative industry?
• Society norms: How can we promote acceptance and inclusivity for neurodivergent people?

This event is also an opportunity to hear from production teams who have explored neurodiversity on screen or worked with neurodivergent crew members. 

Join us to celebrate and share knowledge with the High-end TV community and learn more about inclusion and diversity in a safe space. 

This event is in partnership with the High-end TV Skills Fund made up of contributions from UK high-end TV productions.

Who it's for

This event is for high-end television freelancers wanting to get a better understanding of the topic of neurodiversity in the screen industry.

There are 50 tickets available for this event. 

There are 10 travel bursaries for attendees in regions and nations outside of London to attend the event, funded by the High-end TV Skills Fund. There is a maximum cap of £150 + VAT for each application. Get in contact with Tom at Soho Media Club by 13 March 2024 if you want to apply to attend the event from the nations and regions and require additional travel support.  

This event will be photographed, without flash, from a distance to be mindful of attendees. Images may be used in ScreenSkills promotional materials (website, flyers etc.) If you don’t want your image used, please notify a member of ScreenSkills staff. 

What it covers

• 5.00pm - 5.30pm: Mix and mingle in an informal and relaxed setting  
• 5.30pm - 6.30pm: Insightful discussion with guest panelists, and audience questions (5/10 min break included)*  
• 6.30pm - 8.00pm: Continue to network and chatting to your peers
• 8.00pm: Leave feeling positive! 

*We will be taking breaks. Questions for the panel can be submitted to us before the panel or during the event via a post-it note handed to everyone at the beginning of the event, or can be asked in the Q&A session at the end of the panel. 

The panel:

• Zoe Rocha, Creative Director, RubyRock Pictures
• Robbie Curran,  Actor & Writer
• Rosanagh Griffiths, Writer & Producer, Spinster Films
• Matt Holt, Film & Television Director 

Journalist, Sarah Burbedge will be chairing the event.

How to apply

Please click 'Apply Now' to apply for a ticket for this event.