(Posting this on behalf of a colleague at Unicorn)
Hello, My name is Cyward Curran-Dumez, I am a qualified Learning and development people practitioner and Tier 1 Neurodiversity workplace needs assessor. I’ve spent the last 11 years working inside a workers co-operative (Unicorn in Manchester), and as a neurodivergent individual myself, I understand both the strengths of co-operative working and the challenges a neurodivergent member can face**.**
I’m currently offering workplace needs assessments for free, to support co-ops who want to strengthen inclusion, reduce barriers and help their members work at their best. My practice is grounded in co-operative values, accessibility, and an understanding of how neurodivergent people thrive within systems that are designed for them, not around them.
Worker co-ops naturally attract neurodivergent people - and that’s one of their strengths. Co-operatives often offer what traditional workplaces don’t: autonomy, flexibility, shared decision-making, and a culture that values people as humans.
Even in supportive co-ops, members can still face barriers around communication, sensory needs, executive function, or navigating collective processes - especially when most workplace systems are never designed with neurodivergent people in mind. That’s where a strengths-based workplace needs assessment can help.
I offer neurodiversity workplace needs assessments for individual Members seeking support or for co-ops who want to better understand and support their members needs with clarity, compassion, and practical adjustments that can genuinely help. Assessments are available remotely across the UK or in person, depending on the location
A workplace needs assessment is a collaborative, person-centred conversation that explores what helps someone work at their best and what gets in the way. This isn’t a formal test or medical process - and a diagnosis is not required. The focus is on understanding day-to-day strengths, challenges and the adjustments that would remove barriers. Together we identify:
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How someone works day to day
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Where tasks or environments create friction
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The strengths they rely on
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Adjustments that reduce barriers and overwhelm
The goal is simple: help the person thrive - and help the co-op benefit from their strengths without unnecessary struggle. The focus is function, not labels: what someone needs, not what they’re called.
My approach is:
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Strengths-based - focused on what people do well
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Practical and actionable - offering clear, realistic adjustment suggestions
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Co-operative to the core - centring autonomy, shared responsibility, and member voice
My role is not to tell co-ops what to do, but to offer practical adjustments suggestions, help members articulate what they need and support co-ops to respond in a way that aligns with their values.
I can help your co-op:
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Identify support needs respectfully and collaboratively
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Create reasonable adjustment plans that fit your values and resources
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Improve communication, workflow, and sensory accessibility
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Reduce overwhelm and support executive function
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Strengthen inclusion, retention, and wellbeing
This service is designed for worker co‑ops that want a structured, professional way to understand and support the needs of their neurodivergent members. Requests can be initiated either by the individual themselves or by the person in your co‑op who holds HR, people support, or personnel responsibilities. A Tier One assessment is particularly suitable for members experiencing challenges around communication, sensory load, executive function, task management, or consistency in workflow - as well as those who simply want a clearer picture of their working style and the adjustments that would help them thrive.
The assessment process typically looks like this:
Initial referral or self‑request
- The member or HR/personnel lead contacts me to outline the situation and confirm suitability.
Pre‑assessment information gathering
- A short form is completed to capture role context, working patterns, and any specific concerns.
Assessment conversation (60–90 minutes)
- A structured, strengths‑based discussion exploring day‑to‑day working practices, barriers, sensory or communication needs, and areas of friction.
Analysis and recommendations
- I review the information and map it to practical, realistic adjustments aligned with your co‑op’s structure and resources.
Written report delivered within 2–3 weeks
- A clear, accessible report is provided, including recommended adjustments, rationale, and considerations for implementation.
Optional follow‑up
- A brief check‑in to clarify recommendations or support the co‑op in putting adjustments in place’
If your co-op wants support that’s practical, kind and rooted in co-operative values, I’d be very happy to help. Just email Cyward@unicorn-grocery.coop for more info.