These guides are developed from IYVS's experience running Zanshin Archery and working with volunteers and organisations across UK youth volunteering. They provide practical frameworks for building inclusive, supportive environments for neurodivergent young people.
Environment Design for Inclusion
The physical and sensory environment has enormous impact on neurodivergent participation. This guide covers:
Key Principles
- Predictability: Clear structures, consistent routines, advance notice of changes
- Sensory Awareness: Control of noise, lighting, crowding, and sensory stimulation
- Flexibility: Multiple ways to participate, opt-out spaces, alternative formats
- Physical Access: Clear layouts, safe spaces, accessible facilities
- Calm Spaces: Quiet areas for regulation and recovery
Practical checklist: Does your space have clear sightlines? Can participants understand what happens next? Are there escape routes or quiet spaces? Can the sensory load be adjusted?
Communication That Works
Clear, explicit communication is essential. This guide covers different communication styles and how to adapt:
Communication Strategies
- Written + Verbal: Always provide both, not just one
- Explicit Instructions: "Come to the archery line" instead of "get ready"
- No Hidden Agendas: State the purpose, expectations, and outcomes clearly
- Multiple Formats: Pictures, lists, demonstrations, one-to-one explanations
- Advance Notice: Tell people what will happen before changes occur
- Direct Language: Avoid idioms, sarcasm, or implication
Practical checklist: Are your instructions clear? Do you assume understanding or check? Do you give advance notice of changes? Are instructions available in writing?
Inclusive Practice Framework
A five-point framework for building inclusion into your programme:
1. Know Your Participants
Understand individual needs through conversation, not assumption. Different people need different things — there's no one-size-fits-all accommodation.
2. Design Flexibility In
Build flexibility into your programme from the start. This might include flexible pacing, alternative activities, different participation levels, or multiple ways to engage.
3. Focus on Strengths, Not Deficits
Celebrate what participants bring. Notice different forms of intelligence, capability, and contribution. Avoid deficit-focused language and focus instead on potential.
4. Individual Progression, Not Comparison
Measure success by individual growth, not against peer performance. This removes social pressure and allows different participants to succeed in different ways.
5. Regular Review & Adaptation
Check in regularly. What's working? What isn't? Be willing to change your approach based on feedback and observation.
Volunteer Training & Awareness
Volunteers need understanding of neurodiversity, their own biases, and practical skills. A good volunteer training programme should cover:
- What neurodiversity is and how it affects learning and participation
- Common myths and where they come from
- How neurodivergent people experience the world differently (not worse)
- Recognising your own unconscious bias
- Practical adaptations and flexibility
- Communicating effectively
- Supporting regulation and wellbeing
- When and how to ask for help
We provide grants to support this training — learn more about Capability Building Grants.
Regulation & Wellbeing Support
Neurodivergent people may need support with emotional and sensory regulation. This guide covers practical strategies:
Creating Space for Regulation
- Recognise signs of dysregulation (overwhelm, shutdown, meltdown)
- Provide calm spaces and regulation tools (fidgets, quiet areas, movement breaks)
- Teach grounding and breathing techniques
- Normalise taking breaks
- Support participants in recognising their own needs
- Never punish regulation strategies
Learning From Zanshin
Zanshin Archery is our working example of these principles in action. If you're interested in seeing how these frameworks work in practice, we offer:
- Visits to observe sessions (by arrangement)
- Mentorship and consultancy for implementing similar approaches
- Training delivered by Zanshin coaches and volunteers
Funding Your Implementation
Implementing these practices often requires training and resources. We provide grants to help: