Kaleidoscopic Minds: Festival of Neurodiversity Returns to Exeter Phoenix — Sunday 27 September 2026

Summary

A full programme and venue map is available as a downloadable PDF on the festival page for anyone who wants to plan their day in detail.

Kaleidoscopic Minds is back this autumn, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most thoughtful, creative, and supportive neurodiversity events of the year. If you’re a parent or carer of a neurodivergent child, this is the kind of day that doesn’t just offer activities, it offers breathing room, understanding, and a community that gets it.

Created by neurodivergent people for neurodivergent people and families, the festival brings together talks, workshops, sensory spaces, creative sessions, and peer support in a way that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming. It’s designed so families can dip in and out, follow their child’s pace, and choose the spaces that feel right for them.

The full event page including booking and the downloadable programme/map is here:

Click to learn more.

What the Festival Is All About

Kaleidoscopic Minds celebrates neurodiversity in all its forms. The organisers describe it as a day for creativity, connection, and shared tools that help neurodivergent people regulate, rest, and thrive. For families, that means:

• Spaces where stimming, pacing, and taking breaks are normal
• Activities designed with sensory needs in mind
• Talks that speak directly to lived experience
• Opportunities to meet other parents, carers, and neurodivergent adults who understand the realities of SEND life

How the Day Is Structured

The main programme runs 11am–4pm, spread across Exeter Phoenix’s different spaces, allowing you move freely between them, choosing what works for your family’s energy and sensory needs.

After the daytime sessions finish, the festival continues with two optional evening events:

Neurodivergent Voices Open Mic: 5pm in the Café Bar

• A relaxed, supportive space where neurodivergent people share poetry, music, stories, and reflections.

A Small Enclosed Room with Alfie Murphy: 7pm in the auditorium (ages 14+, separate ticket required)

• A performance exploring neurodivergent identity and lived experience.

Family‑Friendly Highlights

The full programme is wonderfully broad, but here are some of the standout sessions for parents and carers:

Dr Naomi Fisher: Understanding School Distress and Burnout  

• A compassionate, research‑informed talk on why neurodivergent children experience school‑based anxiety and exhaustion and what families can do to support regulation, recovery, and wellbeing. Many parents will find this grounding and validating.

PDA Devon: Peer Support for Parents and Carers  

• A chance to connect with others who understand the challenges of supporting a child with a PDA profile. Expect practical ideas, shared experiences, and a sense of not being alone.

Secret Garden Sensory Tea Experience  

• A quiet outdoor space offering gentle sensory input, calming rituals, and moments of co‑regulation. Ideal for children who need breaks between busier sessions.

Regulation Play Area  

• Designed for movement, sensory exploration, and self‑directed play. A great option if your child needs to reset or prefers hands-on activities.

Conversational Crafts  

• A low‑pressure creative space where families can make something together, perfect for children who enjoy crafting without performance or expectation.

Printmaking Workshops  

• Mess‑friendly, tactile, and fun. These sessions appeal to people who like experimenting with textures and colour.

Co‑Regulation Yoga  

• Gentle movement designed for all bodies and all energy levels. Families can join in together, making it a lovely shared regulation activity.

This is only a taste of what’s on offer. A full programme and venue map is available as a downloadable PDF on the festival page for anyone who wants to plan their day in detail.

Tickets

The festival uses a Pay What You Can model:

• £5
• £10
• £15

Under‑18s attend free, and there are a limited number of free “honest tickets” for anyone who would otherwise struggle to make it. The organisers are clear: if cost is a barrier, they want you there anyway.

Book tickets and access the full programme here.

A Day Built for Your Family

If you’ve ever wished for an event where your child’s needs aren’t an afterthought, where you don’t have to apologise, explain, or brace yourself, Kaleidoscopic Minds is worth considering. It’s spacious, thoughtful, and created by people who understand neurodivergent life from the inside.

If you’re thinking about going, now is a good time to secure your spot!

Book tickets or explore the full programme and start planning a day your family can enjoy at their own pace.

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Ella Jones

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