29 July 2025

Westminster brings community together through art at 2025 Neurodiversity Celebration

The University of Westminster hosted a Neurodiversity Celebration event to celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals through art, music and community.  

Choirs singing together at the Westminster Neurodiversity Celebration

Westminster welcomed students, colleagues and members of the community to its Harrow Campus on 19 June for an event organised by the University’s Quintin Hogg Trust-funded Live Performance project in honour of Neurodiversity Pride Day. The celebration aimed to showcase the sense of community that can be created through art and music.  

The day began with a hands-on clay workshop led by Dr Joan Liu, Senior Lecturer in Cellular Pathology and Research Group Lead for Neuroscience, Inflammatory Disorders and Therapeutics at the University’s Centre of Nutraceuticals. Throughout the session, participants used clay to express their creativity and make art together.  

Participants taking part in a clay workshop at Westminster's Neurodiversity Celebration event

Clay workshop

Guests then enjoyed a line-up of live music performances from Westminster students, including a DJ set from Matthew Taylor, Co-founder of Deaf Rave, and a live set of original songs and covers from artist Témilola. Neurodiverse comedian Courtney Cornfield also performed a stand-up comedy set.  

To close the event, two inclusive local choirs were invited to perform a set each, before joining together for a final song. This included Sing Out, a choir for adults with autism, learning disabilities or any additional needs, and The Include Choir, which is for people with communication difficulties.  

The event not only celebrated neurodiversity but also offered work opportunities to many Westminster students, reflecting the University’s strategic commitment to both equality, diversity and inclusion and preparing students for success after their studies through authentic learning opportunities. Roles included two events managers, a social media coordinator, a sound engineer, four student interns who facilitated the clay workshops, a student photographer and student ambassadors.  

Student Temilola performing to the audience

Témilola performing

About the event one choir member said: “Thank you so much for inviting us to take part. I thought it was brilliantly organised and a wonderfully inclusive event.”

Another chorister added: “I don't think we've ever felt more welcome at a performance, thank you.”

Dr Lucy Harrison, Assistant Head of School for Music at Westminster School of Arts, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have hosted an event for neurodiversity pride for the second year. The inclusive approach to the events and the community built through them shows the power of the creative arts and music performance both in the University and the wider community.”

This event directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3: Good Health and Well-being and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Visit the Donate Westminster site to find out how you or your organisation can support the University with events like the Neurodiversity Celebration.  

Learn more about events at the University of Westminster.

Press and media enquiries

Contact us on:

[email protected]