The idea
Steady Ground is a 6-week neuro divergent friendly wellbeing programme for adults (18+) in Folkestone, an area within the top 10% most deprived nationally. Neurodivergent adults often experience chronic stress, burnout and isolation, and many report that mainstream wellbeing spaces feel inaccessible or overwhelming. Local demand is clear: over 40 expressions of interest have already been received for regulation-based support.
This pilot will deliver two small cohorts (10–12 participants each) combining gentle movement, nervous system education, practical regulation tools using trauma-informed practice. Participants will receive a sensory starter pack (“HAG Bag”) and access to a moderated neurodivergent community space for up to 6 months.
The programme is non-clinical, consent-led and safeguarding-focused. It builds practical skills so participants can regulate independently, reduce isolation and strengthen long-term capacity preventing harmful patterns being unknowingly passed forward.
What we'll deliver
- Deliver 2 x 6-week neurodivergent-friendly wellbeing programmes in Folkestone
- Provide 12 facilitated group sessions (6 per cohort)
- Run 2 guided nature-based “walk-and-regulate” sessions
- Provide 24 sensory starter packs (“HAG Bags”) including weighted lap blankets and regulation tools
- Hire an accessible community venue with quiet breakout space for all sessions
- Create and moderate a dedicated neurodivergent online community space for 12 months
- Produce a short impact and learning report to inform future rollout
- Create a model that can be rolled out nationally
- Use trauma-informed model-The HAG Trauma-Informed 5R Model™ Awareness → Identify → Responsibility → Repair → Rebuild
Why it's a great idea
Steady Ground provides traumainformed perventative, neurodivergent-friendly support in a community where deprivation and long waiting lists create barriers to accessible wellbeing provision. With over 40 expressions of interest already received, demand is clear.
The project will increase participants’ ability to regulate stress, recognise overwhelm earlier and use practical tools independently. It will reduce isolation by creating a safe, structured space for connection without pressure to disclose personal trauma.
Participants will gain sensory-aware coping strategies they can use at home, strengthening confidence and reducing reliance on crisis services. Families and households will benefit from improved emotional regulation and reduced stress.
Longer term, this pilot will establish a replicable model for inclusive, non-clinical wellbeing support that can be scaled across Kent.
We start with Held.. by the Fire- a community listening space for interested to help shape the project.
Steps to get it done
- Confirm venue hire agreement with Sunflower House
- Confirm specialist facilitators (movement + animal-assisted session)
- Complete safeguarding and risk assessments
- Purchase sensory starter pack items (24 HAG Bags)
- Print workbooks, visual schedules and session materials
- Set up dedicated neurodivergent community space online
- Deliver 6 structured weekly sessions
- Deliver 1 guided nature-based session
- Collect baseline and mid-point feedback
- Deliver second 6-week programme
- Gather participant feedback and completion data
- Analyse feedback and attendance data
- Produce short impact report
- Share findings with backers and community
- Develop plan for future rollout in Folkestone and surrounding Kent
