Making Inclusion Visible: How Social Enterprise Academy Earned Silver Neuroinclusive Event Certification
Last Friday, more than 60 schools from across Scotland gathered at the EICC in Edinburgh for a day of celebration, storytelling, and recognition. The occasion was the Social Enterprise Academy’s 2025 Schools Annual Awards — a flagship event highlighting the achievements of young social entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities.
This year’s event wasn’t just about awards. It was about access, empowerment, and inclusion. We’re proud to share that the Social Enterprise Schools Annual Awards has become the first event to receive Silver Certification from Welcome Brain for neuroinclusion.
Why Neuroinclusion at Events Matters
For many neurodivergent individuals, large-scale events can be overwhelming or exclusionary — not by intention, but by design. Loud environments, unclear schedules, and unpredictable transitions can create barriers that prevent full participation.
That’s why Welcome Brain, in partnership with EICC and ABPCO, developed the Neuroinclusion in Events Checklist — a practical tool that helps organisations design events where everyone can feel comfortable, understood, and valued. From visual communication to sensory accommodations, our certification process supports events in becoming safer and more welcoming for neurodivergent attendees.
How Social Enterprise Academy Embedded Inclusion
The team at Social Enterprise Academy worked closely with Welcome Brain to implement inclusive design features throughout the planning and delivery of the awards. Their approach was proactive, thoughtful, and values-driven. Key measures included:
Sharing a clear, visual agenda with attendees in advance
Providing access to a quiet space for anyone needing a break during the day
Ensuring signage was easy to follow and accessible
Offering an optional pre-event info pack for neurodivergent participants
Briefing facilitators and hosts on inclusive language and interaction styles
Structuring the awards program with clarity and pacing to reduce overwhelm
These efforts weren’t added as an afterthought — they were embedded into the DNA of the event from the outset.
A Silver-Level Neuroinclusive Event
At the close of the ceremony, Welcome Brain awarded the Social Enterprise Schools Awards with Silver Certification — a formal recognition that the event met our standards for neuroinclusion and went beyond baseline accessibility. While not every possible support was in place, the event demonstrated a genuine commitment to designing for neurodivergent needs, without tokenism or box-ticking.
Leading by Example
Inclusion isn’t just about compliance — it’s about culture. By embedding neuroinclusive practices into such a high-profile celebration, Social Enterprise Academy has set a powerful example for other youth, education, and third-sector events.
If you’d like to learn more about how to make your events more neuroinclusive — or to pursue Welcome Brain Certification — get in touch or download our free Neuroinclusion in Events Checklist.
