Neurodiversity Celebration Week

NFWI-Wales hosted an online event on 17 March 2025 to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week. The event was an opportunity to champion neurodiversity and celebrate the differences and unique strengths of neurodivergent women. Three neurodivergent women spoke powerfully about their lived experiences, and we also heard from Sarah Murphy MS, Welsh Government Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

WI Members can watch a recording of the event over on My WI.

Find out more about the speakers:

Councillor Sara Robinson, Communications Specialist

Sara was elected to Cardiff Council, representing Grangetown, in 2022. She is also a multi-award-winning PR consultant, trainer and writer. Sara, a former Institute of Directors Young Director of the Year, writes an award-winning column for the Western Mail, and, in 2023, was named one of Small Business Britain’s “100 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch”. Since being diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 40, she has written several articles on her diagnosis. She also proposed that Cardiff Council adopt a policy to become Wales’ first ’Neurodivergent Friendly City’, which passed unanimously in September 2023.

Brogan Evans, Rugby League player

Brogan Evans is autistic and has ADHD. She plays rugby league with Wigan Warriors and has represented Wales at international level. She is also a coach and proud to be a role model and mentor to other young neurodiverse people. Brogan will share her personal journey of how participation in sports has helped her and will discuss the importance of championing neurodiversity in the sporting community.

Caitlyn Sheldon, Entrepreneur

Caitlyn Seldon is a 25-year-old entrepreneur who is autistic and has ADHD. Caitlyn thinks outside the box and often enjoys problem-solving and this led to her starting her own business after struggling in the traditional workplace as a neurodiverse woman. Catlin hopes to support other neurodiverse women in aiming high and proudly being themselves.

Sarah Murphy, MS, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing

Prior to being elected, Sarah graduated from the School of Journalism, Media & Communication at Cardiff University with an MA in Digital Media & Society and worked for the Data Justice Lab. Her research focused on UK and international governments’ use of big data and algorithmic-design for public services, as well as AI in the workplace which is published in Transfer: European Journal of Labour and Research.

On 11 September 2024, Sarah was appointed Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing.