Inclusive Arts Collective

Community Interest Company 15714211

Inclusive Arts Collective create neurodivergent-led arts programs that empower children through movement, visual arts, and performance—honouring different ways of experiencing the world.

Our workshops, co-designed with neurodivergent artists and educators, centre on stimming, sensory exploration, and self-expression. Through creative collaboration, we foster confidence, connection, and a more inclusive society.

  • Pablo Herrera

    FOUNDER

    A writer and educator whose work is deeply shaped by his neurodivergent experiences. With a Master of Arts in Screenplay, Pablo has explored themes of neurodiversity through video and writing.

  • Rosana Antoli

    CO-FOUNDER

    A multidisciplinary artist specializing in performative art and social choreography, holding a Master's in Performance Art from the Royal College of Art. Her work investigates movement, collective behavior, and porous relational dynamics, often through immersive and interdisciplinary experiences.

  • Andrea Mesones

    WELLBEING TEAM LEAD

    A psychologist with experience supporting autistic individuals and their families, with a focus on girls and women, through a neurodiversity-affirming approach. She has developed and led social skills workshops and recreational spaces for neurodivergent children and teens.

  • Janet Chesseman

    WORKSHOP LEADER

    An illustrator with a quirky, fluid style perfect for children’s books and comics. She runs comic clubs, live drawing sessions, and interactive storytelling with music. Janet guides neurodivergent children how to express themselves through drawing.

  • Hannah Whitfield

    CREATIVE WELLBEING MENTOR

    A multidisciplinary artist who uses creativity to inspire social change and support wellbeing. An actor, dancer, musician, and activist, she draws on her own experiences to explore challenging topics and encourage self-expression through art.

  • Ina Leah

    WORKSHOP LEADER

    A multidisciplinary artist with a Master’s from the Royal College of Art. With a background in psychology, she explores therapeutic art through music, visual art, and movement, drawing on her experience as a neurodivergent artist.

  • New List Item

    WORKSHOP LEADER

    A Master’s researcher at Trinity Laban exploring how stimming and self-regulatory movement support learning and wellbeing. Their project Neurospace in Action examines how the body manages energy, emotion, and attention. They lead inclusive sessions using movement for expression, regulation, and connection.

  • Carolina Rieckhof

    Carolina Rieckhof

    WORKSHOP LEADER

    A sculptor and costume designer whose work explores the connection between body, space, and emotion through wearable sculpture. Drawing from interest in performance design and somatic practice, she collaborates with dancers and performers to create sensory, movement-based experiences.

Our Projects

At Inclusive Arts Collective, we are committed to creating inclusive, creative spaces that celebrate neurodivergent voices. Our past project In My World, In Your Eyes explored the experiences of autistic children through film and was selected by Into Film+ for educational distribution in UK schools.

We are currently running The Arts Lab, a series of sensory-based workshops designed to support self-expression and confidence in neurodivergent children aged 10–14.

Looking ahead, we are developing a more ambitious, long-term programme to expand our reach and impact, supporting neurodivergent young people through sustained creative engagement and community involvement.

The Arts Lab

MAY - OCTOBER 2025

Funded by Arts Council England

The Arts Lab is a creative space where neurodivergent children can connect, express themselves, and feel a sense of belonging. Run by Inclusive Arts Collective, the project offers a supportive environment free from judgment—where children are understood and celebrated.

Led by neurodivergent artists and facilitators, the workshops use art, movement, and sensory play to build confidence, self-expression, and connection. Parents also find space for shared understanding and support.

Designed for ages 10–14, the programme includes six rotating art clubs across three rooms at Good Shepherd Studios, culminating in a community gallery exhibition.

How the Sessions Work

Each session is tailored to the children’s interests, with participants divided into smaller groups based on their preferences—whether that’s movement, making, or media. The structure of each session includes:

  • Creative Exploration: A mix of sensory and artistic activities to warm up and inspire.

  • Club Session (60 min): Children join one of six themed clubs for deeper creative focus.

Clubs include:
Drawing & Painting • Stop Motion • Journaling & Wellness • Movement & Drama • Music • Podcast & Video Creation

With guidance from experienced artist mentors, children receive personalised support to explore their creativity and build confidence in ways that suit them best.

Some Videos

From Stimming To Dance

OCTOBER 2024 - APRIL 2025

Funded by Community Fund

AGE 6 - 9:

From Stimming to Dance was a series of workshops for neurodivergent children aged 10–14, exploring stimming as a creative and expressive practice. Led by neurodivergent artists, the project created space for movement, music, and sensory play, where children could build confidence, connect with others, and celebrate their unique ways of being.

The Workshops

Each session blended structured and free movement with activities like dance, art, music, and sensory exploration. Designed around individual sensory needs, the workshops encouraged children to participate in their own way—supporting emotional regulation, creative expression, and body awareness in a non-judgmental environment.

Our Aim

The project redefines stimming as a powerful form of self-expression and connection. By centring neurodivergent voices and collaborating with families and educators, From Stimming to Dance promotes a deeper understanding of neurodivergence, while fostering belonging, creativity, and wellbeing.

AGE 10 - 14:

In My World In Your Eyes

APRIL 2024

Funded by Barbican, Arts Council, Intofilm.

The Film:

In My World, In Your Eyes follows Elena, an 11-year-old autistic girl navigating the challenges of mainstream school. Guided by her voice, viewers experience the world through immersive sensory simulations that reveal the unseen realities of neurodivergent life.

Created by a diverse team including neurodivergent artists, the film is both educational and artistic—designed to foster empathy, understanding, and inclusivity in schools. It highlights daily struggles, unique coping strategies, and the creative strengths often overlooked in autistic children.

BFI & Into Film+ Screenings for Awareness in Schools

The film was acquired by the British Film Institute (BFI) via Into Film+ and is currently being screened in schools across the UK. It is being used to improve understanding of neurodiversity among both students and educators.

In My World, In Your Eyes has also reached a wide audience beyond the classroom, with over 10,000 views on YouTube and more than 20,000 views on Muni, reflecting its growing impact and resonance with viewers.

STATISTICS IN THE UK:

• In a world where 90% of autistic children use stimming to find calm, many are told to stop.

• 40-50% of autistic children have clinically significant levels of anxiety.

• A 2011 study from the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that about 47% of autistic children experience at least one anxiety disorder.• Around 70-90% of autistic individuals engage in some form of stimming.

• A 2020 study showed that 65% of caregivers reported that stimming helped their autistic children cope with stress and anxiety.

• A survey by the National Autistic Society found that 76% of autistic individuals and their families believe that stimming provides emotional relief and helps manage anxious feelings.

• In movement-based workshops, 85% of parents observed improvements in their children's mood and emotional regulation after dance therapy sessions.

TRAILER

FULL FILM

Coming in 2026:

The Collective Studio

Launching in early 2026

Good Shepherd Studios, Waltham Forest

In 2026, Inclusive Arts Collective will launch The Collective Studio — a year-long inclusive arts programme designed for neurodivergent children aged 9 to 14.

This project builds on the success of our previous initiatives, From Stimming to Dance and The Arts Lab, which provided safe, creative environments where neurodivergent children could express themselves freely, connect with others, and build emotional wellbeing.

The Growing Space Collective will offer:

  • Weekly multidisciplinary workshops led by neurodivergent and neuro-affirming artists, including visual arts, movement, sound, storytelling, and sensory play

  • Open studio days, family-friendly events, and sensory-friendly exhibitions

  • Ongoing support for families, including opportunities to connect, share, and help shape the programme

This year-long project has been designed with and for the community — developed in consultation with parents, carers, children, and professionals who support neurodivergent young people. The aim is to create consistency, belonging, and joy through inclusive creative practice.

We’re proud to continue building spaces where neurodivergent children feel safe, seen, and supported — and where their voices lead the way.

The Venue

Good Shepherd Studios – We’re based in both the auditorium and The Annex, spacious and adaptable areas perfect for creative exploration. These sensory-friendly spaces allow children to move freely, engage in multidisciplinary workshops, and express themselves in ways that suit their unique needs.

Our Pastures – We also work in the general activity room and the grass field, which provides a safe and open environment for movement-based and outdoor sessions. These spaces are ideal for group activities, sensory play, and inclusive games that help children connect with peers.

Both venues have been chosen for their accessibility, warmth, and flexibility — essential qualities for the kind of inclusive, neuro-affirming work we do.

Community Café – An important part of our project is the relaxed, cozy café space where parents and carers are welcome to gather during workshops. This area has become a vital hub for informal connection and peer support. Over time, it has helped to foster a strong community network where families can meet, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.