{"id":284,"date":"2022-06-08T10:30:20","date_gmt":"2022-06-08T09:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/?p=284"},"modified":"2022-08-03T09:47:37","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T08:47:37","slug":"a-safe-space-in-a-neurotypical-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/a-safe-space-in-a-neurotypical-world\/","title":{"rendered":"A safe space in a neurotypical world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is estimated that 1 out of 7 of the UK population are neurodivergent \u2013 that\u2019s almost 15%*. A high percentage of people with neurodivergence are unemployed**. We need more solutions to make learning and workplaces more inclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Angharad Davies\u2019 designs are just that. Her <a href=\"https:\/\/courses.uwe.ac.uk\/K19A12\/computational-architecture\">MSc Computational Architecture<\/a> final year project is a desk-based modular screen, designed to address neurodiversity in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She\u2019s also designed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.joeypods.com\/\">Joey Pod<\/a>. The calming pod is a solution for schools, hospitals, and public spaces. It\u2019s a safe space for someone to retreat to, before experiencing sensory overloading.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2022\/06\/pod-for-blog.jpg\" alt=\"Digital drawing - design for sensory pod\" class=\"wp-image-311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2022\/06\/pod-for-blog.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2022\/06\/pod-for-blog-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>Digital design drawing for Joey Pod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Designing for neurodiversity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Named after Angharad\u2019s son Joey, the idea for the pod was born during the second year of her <a href=\"https:\/\/courses.uwe.ac.uk\/K100\/architecture\">BSc(Hons) Architecture<\/a> course, when Joey received an autism diagnosis. That diagnosis changed Angharad\u2019s whole perception of architecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cI realised his outbursts were due to his surroundings. In my final project, I reached out to the autism community and realised I wasn&#8217;t the only person who felt isolated due to poor building design and a lack of understanding of autism.\u201d<\/p><cite>Angharad said.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There has been a lot of research about separate Special Educational Needs (SEN) rooms at schools, but Angharad\u2019s concept offers the child a pod in the corner of a room \u2013 like a den.&nbsp;&nbsp;The pod uses audio-visual effects and provides a \u2018safe zone\u2019 for people with sensory processing problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s a place to rest and reset, something which is often necessary when interacting with the neuro-typical world. Crucially, this safe space can help avoid an oncoming anxiety attack or an exhausting and alienating meltdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>\u201cI want to see these solutions everywhere: workplaces, schools, hospitals, airports, festivals, concerts, commercial and sporting events &#8211; any busy or public spaces\u201d<\/p><cite>she explains.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"830\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2022\/06\/CREDIT-_-Tom-Stafford-Hughes1-for-blog.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2022\/06\/CREDIT-_-Tom-Stafford-Hughes1-for-blog.jpg 830w, https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2022\/06\/CREDIT-_-Tom-Stafford-Hughes1-for-blog-300x286.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2022\/06\/CREDIT-_-Tom-Stafford-Hughes1-for-blog-768x732.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>Joey Pod<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Entrepreneurialism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Angharad\u2019s story is one of firsts. An entrepreneur at heart, Angharad has grabbed every opportunity available to her at UWE Bristol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She founded the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inclusivedesignnetwork.com\/\">Inclusive Design Network<\/a> (IDN) whilst studying for her undergraduate architecture degree. Thanks to donations from alumni, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwe.ac.uk\/business\/support-uwe-bristol\/uwe-bristol-fund\">UWE Bristol Fund<\/a> supported IDN to host a series of talks on equality, diversity and inclusion within the built environment. The network has also been supported by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Bristol and Bath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As one of the first students on the new MSc Computational Architecture course at UWE Bristol, Angharad hopes to go on to complete a PhD in designing for neurodiversity, to enable her to become a Sensory Design Consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Angharad\u2019s modular screen will be on display at the Faculty of Environment and Technology\u2019s degree show in 2022 (our first physical degree show since the coivd-19 Pandemic), alongside many more innovative ideas for products and services which aim to fill gaps in the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Degree Shows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emerging talent at UWE Bristol will exhibit work at the annual graduate degree shows for the Creative Industries and Faculty of Environment and Technology. The events will celebrate the University\u2019s ambitious and creative graduating students, through a mix of physical exhibitions and a digital showcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The degree shows kick off on Thursday 9 June with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwe.ac.uk\/events\/degree-shows\/environment-and-technology-showcase\">The Faculty of Environment and Technology (FET) Degree Show<\/a> &#8211; covering architecture, creative technologies, computing, engineering, geography and the environment, and product design. The free event takes place between 17:00 and 21:00 at UWE Bristol\u2019s Frenchay campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwe.ac.uk\/events\/degree-shows\/creative-industries-showcase\">The Creative Industries Degree Show<\/a>, covering art, design, animation, drawing and print, fashion, media, performance, photography and filmmaking, opens to the public at the University\u2019s vibrant City Campus \u2013 Bower Ashton, Arnolfini and Spike Island &#8211; on Saturday 11 June. The week-long showcase features a series of events including live music, drama performances, a festival stage and outdoor art gallery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*reference from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.local.gov.uk\/lga-libdem-group\/our-press-releases\/neurodiversity\">Local Government Association presentation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>UWE Bristol alumni \u2013 quick links<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\">UWE Bristol Alumni homepage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/stay-connected\">Sign up for offers and fundraising and update your details<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/alumni-connect\">Join Alumni Connect online mentoring network<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/discounts-and-facilities\">Explore Alumni benefits and discounts<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It is estimated that 1 out of 7 of the UK population are neurodivergent \u2013 that\u2019s almost 15%*. A high percentage of people with neurodivergence are unemployed**. We need more solutions to make learning and workplaces more inclusive. Angharad Davies\u2019 designs are just that. Her MSc Computational Architecture final year project is a desk-based modular &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/a-safe-space-in-a-neurotypical-world\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;A safe space in a neurotypical world&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":316,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,8,6,1,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-bristol","category-profile","category-uncategorised","category-uwe-bristol-fund"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=284"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":620,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284\/revisions\/620"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}