Dyslexia Hub Launch Conference

Dyslexia UK estimates that 5% of University Students in the UK have dyslexia. However, many of us working in HE feel the impact of that being only an estimation. The rates of later diagnosis and the increasing number of international students indicate to many of us working in the sector that that figure is likely to be much higher. This is what led to our Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Day at The University of Buckingham on Friday 27 September 24, which also signalled the launch of our new Dyslexia Hub.

The focus of the day was to showcase our ideas for helping to ‘educate the educators’ in dyslexia and neurodiversity awareness and supportive strategies. Early morning fears that this might not get off the ground due to much of Buckingham being flooded were soon allayed when over 60 people braved the weather and helped make the day a huge success.

Taking in the striking interior of The University of Buckingham’s Radcliffe Centre, I could not believe that we had brought together so many like-minded people who all wanted to make a difference. This day very quickly seemed to be responding to a need from educators to connect.

I also reflected on how much of a team effort it had been to reach this goal. It started with my work with students over the last 10 years and realising that, as Andrew Howard FCCT DFIFIP, said in his inspirational talk on the day, it takes a village to raise a child – well it takes a whole institution of varied staff to raise a neurodiverse student or any student for that matter to academic success. Part of the ongoing work of the Dyslexia Hub will be to offer training through live online courses and in-house training to our staff, other institutions and employers, to supplement their knowledge as to how to support those students to achieve their best.

As my colleague, the experienced Dr Bethany Kelly said in her talk, we are all on the neurodiverse scale – but some struggle with academic skills more than others where might they might shine in different areas. We all have strengths and weaknesses and we should celebrate those strengths and support those weaknesses to make great teams.

In fact, the Dyslexia Hub team is a perfect example of this. I have always had a passion to support students to achieve their best, and also international students where dyslexia is often not recognised or supported. Then dear Roger Jefcoate CBE entered the scene a couple of years ago and offered funding to start a Dyslexia Hub for research and innovation in Post-16, Further and Higher Education, as it was my area of expertise.

Other passionate and like-minded people joined and supported, Patricia Covarrubia, Nigel Adams, Joanna Leach, Bethany Kelly, Adolfo Paolini and the idea emerged to combine our different research, knowledge and expertise. The Dyslexia Hub could not have happened with any of us individually, it has truly been a joint effort and we hope others will come on board as the project develops. The launch signalled the start of some exciting new ventures.

Huge thanks to Nicholas Hillman, Andrew Howard FCCT DFIFIP, Andy Cook and Darren Clark, who all shared some of their vulnerabilities as well as their expertise. Also, Lady Howe, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, for her really relevant and interesting opening to the day and Kate Connery of the Professional Association of SpLD Specialists in Higher Education (PASSHE), who have been part of my ‘dyslexia family’ during my years at Buckingham.

Many thanks to all our helpers and students too – Molly Myhill, Aroulen Seenevassen, Sharvari Sathishkumar, Yathusheni Yasotharan. They came to help, but were also passionate about the work that was shared during the day. Delegates benefited from hearing from Annabelle Chester BSc, MSc and were treated to a wondrous spread from Louis Myhill, supporting our local business Louis’ restaurant. It was an inspirational day and it was fantastic to hear calls for an annual conference as many attendees felt that supporting students in HE with their learning needs was an area that needed ongoing work. We thank all of those who supported our day, all who attended and share our vision, we could not do it without you.

Dyslexia UK estimates that 5% of University Students in the UK have dyslexia. However, many of us working in HE feel the impact of that being only an estimation. The rates of later diagnosis and the increasing number of international students indicate to many of us working in the sector that that figure is likely to be much higher. This is what led to our Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Day at University of Buckingham on Friday 27 September 24, which also signalled the launch of our new Dyslexia Hub. The focus of the day was to showcase our ideas for helping to ‘educate the educators’ in dyslexia and neurodiversity awareness and supportive strategies. Early morning fears that this might not get off the ground due to much of Buckingham being flooded were soon allayed when over 60 people braved the weather and helped make the day a huge success.

– Sarah Myhill (Dyslexia Hub co-founder with Patricia Covarrubia)