Dear ND Smilers — June Edit
Travel, Connection and Community
Dear ND Smilers,
As summer stretches across London, ND Smiley has been on the move — exploring new spaces, meeting new faces, and finding joy in unexpected places (like a box of Krispy Kremes — more on that below 🍩).
🌟 Highlights from June
🧩 ND Smiley Enterprise @ BAC
This was a brand new event we hosted to support neurodivergent entrepreneurs with their ideas, passions, and creative plans. It was our first time trying out ND Smiley Enterprise as a concept, and it was beautifully hosted by Geoff from the ND Smiley team at Battersea Arts Centre.
One of our guests, Tanis from NeuroGrowth, joined us on the day — more on her amazing upcoming workshop below!
🎪 Mitcham Carnival
Our stall at Mitcham Carnival was a joyful mix of sunshine, connection, curiosity, and community. A big welcome to all the new members who signed up on the day — we’re so glad you’re here 💛
🎥 ND Smiley Voices: Member Interviews
We also shared a beautiful series of video interviews on Instagram, filmed by Grace, highlighting the real impact of ND Smiley. Members spoke about how much it means to have a space where they can unmask, connect, and just be themselves.
Thank you to everyone who shared your voice — you shape this community.
📬 100 Substack Subscribers!
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve reached over 100 subscribers on Substack! Thank you for being part of this growing, supportive, and very smiley community 🧠
📅 July Events
🏳️🌈 Pride Outside @ National Theatre
Sat 5 July • 5:30–9 pm • National Theatre, South Bank
Grace will be representing ND Smiley at this joyful outdoor Pride celebration!
🎟 Tickets & Details
👨👩👧 ND Smiley Families @ Battersea Park
Sun 6 July • 1:00 pm-3.00pm • Pear Tree Café, Battersea Park
Our first-ever family-friendly meetup — inclusive and relaxed.
🎟 Tickets & Details
🧠 Work That Works — with NeuroGrowth
Mon 8 July • Online
Tanis from NeuroGrowth (one of our BAC guests) is leading a session on sustainable neurodivergent work habits.
Use code WELCOME10 for £5 tickets (Exclusive to ND Smiley!)
🎟 Tickets Here
🎷 Jazz Festival @ St John’s, Waterloo
Sun 13 July • 1:00–4:00 pm • St John’s Church Garden, Waterloo
A free, accessible afternoon of jazz — come enjoy the vibe.
🎟 Tickets & Details
🌿 Walk & Talk @ Nunhead Cemetery
Sun 20 July • 1.15pm-3.15pm • Nunhead Cemetery
Hosted by Jane—our first event for over-40s (all welcome)! Explore history and nature together.
🎟 More info
🫖 Social @ EPK, Elephant & Castle
Sun 27 July • 1:00–3:00 pm • EPK, 1 Walworth Road
A chilled afternoon social with pizza, conversation, and community.
🎟Tickets and Details
✨ More events may be added soon — check our Eventbrite for updates
🧩 What Makes You ND Smiley?
This is the section where we share the little wins, moments of joy, and stories that define what ND Smiley means to you.
This month, I was ND Smiley when we sold out of Krispy Kremes at Mitcham Carnival. Simple joy. Massive grin. 🍩😄
👉 Got a moment to share? Email us or reply to this post — we’d love to feature your voice in next month’s issue!
💬 Join the Conversation
This month on Instagram, we’ve been sharing neurodivergent travel tips — from packing overwhelm to sensory-friendly adventures.
Come add your own tips, hacks, or struggles — the conversation’s still going at @ndsmiley.
👉 Next month’s theme? Surviving the Heat (and the Holidays) — let us know what helps you cope when the sun is too much, or the summer schedule goes sideways.
🗓️ Other Neurodivergent Events in London – July
Sunday, July 6 · 11am - 1pm • Hackney
MINDS: Neurodivergence in Research Workshop
Wed, 23 July • Queen Mary University Engineering Building
A thoughtful event for ND-identified people in academiaShynne Neurodiverse Weekly Gaming Club
From Sat, 26 July • Finchley Church End Library
Inclusive gaming gatherings for autistic & ADHD adultsSunday, July 27 · 5:30 - 8pm Doors at 5:10pm • The Lady Ottoline
📣 Want to share your neurodivergent event?
We’d love to hear about it!
Email ndsmileycommunity@gmail.com or reply to this newsletter to have it featured.
💬 Stay In Touch
Want to help host an event, share an idea, or just say hi?
We’d love to hear from you. You can reach us at:
📧 ndsmileycommunity@gmail.com
📣 Follow us on Instagram
🗓️ View all events on Eventbrite
✨ A Thought to leave you with:
Not all journeys are measured in miles.
Sometimes the biggest adventure is saying yes to being seen — as you are, unmasked and unfiltered.
With warmth and a sprinkle of joy,
Gina (and the ND Smiley team)
@ndsmiley 🧠💛P.S I also write- you can check out my poetry or follow my book journey here