A CONFERENCE about neurodiversity was attended by TV naturalist and ambassador for the Autistic Society, Chris Packham.

He took part in the neurodiversity conference held at the Riverside Centre, Newport, last weekend.

Members of Island Labour — who organised a follow-up event the next day — said they were pleased to hear Mr Packham praise Labour's Neurodiversity Manifesto.

The conference celebrated all things neurodivergent, embracing people with autism, dyspraxia, dyslexic, dyscalculic or those with a condition such as attention deficit disorder or Tourette's

syndrome.

Neurodivergent Labour was also present, with Janine Booth, co-founder of Labour's Neurodivergent Manifesto and Maria Villa-Vine, of Labour’s Newport Branch.

Mr Packham said: ‘I am very pleased to support this draft of proposals and its potential inclusion in the Labour Party Manifesto.

"If implemented it would represent a real hope of improvement in neurodiverse people's lives.

"It is a symbol of progress for, and in, a community which needs and deserves this more than ever."

The next day, in Ventnor, Labour's Isle of Wight General Election candidate Richard Quigley, attended the follow-up event — a discussion covering the five principles of the manifesto.

Mr Quigley said: "I was honoured to be at the launch of the Labour Neurodiversity Manifesto, a manifesto written by neurodiverse people for neurodiverse people.

"The culmination of three years of hard work that I fully endorse and support.

"I would encourage all those party members that identify as neurodiverse to sign up for free membership.

"All should be aware of the gross inequalities faced by the neurodiverse community, affecting their health, employment, education and daily lives.

"We must make sure that the manifesto's call to action is heard and acted upon in the next government."