Lucy Smith

Speaker, Facilitator, Compare

Inspiring audiences & making a difference

Neurodiversity | Managing Change | Resilience

Life Stories | Social Enterprise

Authentic storytelling that makes a difference

Hi, I am Lucy!

Some people call me the "pocket rocket". I think that is because I have passion and energy to bring out the best in an audience.

I have been working with audiences for almost 25 years in many guises - Lecturer, radio presenter, drama teacher, children's entertainer (I have been a professional fairy) facilitator, compare and speaker.

As a speaker I believe there has to be some substance behind us and I sure have that too. Not being able to settle and always saying "YES" to opportunities has led to a whole lot of experience that informs my work and my presentations.

At my core I am a purpose led social entrepreneur who loves to start a conversation about topics that matter.

I start those conversations with stories some that will surprise and some that will inspire. I talk about some difficult stuff and combine my unique expertise and knowledge.

Relatable, authentic and thought provoking

Lucy x

Neurodiversity

What is your perspective?

I come from a range of different perspectives when I talk about neurodiversity. From pedagogy, organisation development and leadership, research, personal and family and real lived experience. With a a strengths based approach I talk positively and with passion about change and neurodiversity in work, school and community.

I engage audiences to get them thinking and start conversations that will make and does make a lasting difference.

Change Management

Let me meet you at your

bus-stop

In the world of change management, it's not about imposing a new route; it's about understanding where you're starting from.

I have spent a decade working with senior leaders in transformational change where I have learned that change is often an individual journey and we will all join that journey from a different bus-stop.

I combine theory with reality and always have an eye on the future.

Life Stories

The secret change agent

A wealth of stories based on real lived experience with plenty of lessons for the future. Spilling some my secrets on here would be giving away some of my best work which you will want to hear straight from the source.

Oh, okay, let's just say I can talk about resilience, royalty, and some really fun stuff from a career in international law enforcement,

Social Enterprise

Making a difference - the torch that lights the stars

Lighting people up to make sustainable change happen is a big part of what I do. From setting up a community radio station to developing an innovative and groundbreaking conference around digital wellbeing and young people.

I talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to social enterprise, from grass roots to engagement at the highest levels right up to Downing Street.

What do other people say?

Don't take it from me, here is what others say about working with me.

Work with me

Want to work with me?

Book a call to work directly with me.

Choose from 60 or 30 minutes.

A chance to talk about your challenges, ask questions, work through a problem.

It's your call and your time.

Listen online

Podcasts, interviews and YouTube

Read more

The blog

Ladies of Cheltenham Hacking Society logo

Ladies of Cheltenham Hacking Society Event

March 14, 20253 min read

Last week, I stepped outside my comfort zone and attended the Ladies of Cheltenham Hacking Society event. As someone who doesn’t consider themselves a tech expert, I was both excited and apprehensive about taking part in a Rust programming workshop. But what I discovered was more than just coding, it was a powerful reminder of why inclusion and accessibility matter in every space, including the workplace.

Learning and Inclusion

The evening kicked off with an insightful talk from Riskaware, which shed light on how cybersecurity helps protect critical infrastructure. Seeing their real-world applications made it clear how essential diverse perspectives are in tackling security challenges.

Then came the hands-on Rust workshop. I had never coded before, yet by the end of the session, I had grasped some key programming principles. Rust’s focus on safety and efficiency tied in perfectly with the broader cybersecurity themes of the night, demonstrating that even newcomers can engage with tech in meaningful ways when given the right support.

What stood out most, however, was the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Being in a space where women in tech uplifted and supported one another was inspiring. Events like these reinforce why creating accessibility and inclusion is crucial, not only in tech but across all industries.

Best Practices in Inclusive Event Design

The organisers’ commitment to inclusion was impressive. Simple yet effective measures, such as a yellow lanyard system to signal that attendees preferred not to be photographed, ensured privacy was respected. A clear code of conduct set expectations for behaviour, creating a safe and welcoming environment.

Another key takeaway was the importance of clear communication. The event schedule was well-planned and shared in advance, allowing attendees to engage with confidence. 

Inclusive Recruitment and Neurodiversity: What Can Businesses Learn?

One of the most eye-opening aspects of the evening was how coding workshops like these align with inclusive hiring practices, particularly for neurodivergent talent.

Coding, with its structured logic and problem-solving nature, plays to the strengths of many neurodivergent individuals. Traditional hiring processes often fail to recognise these skills, creating unnecessary barriers to employment. By incorporating practical workshops into recruitment strategies, businesses can provide alternative ways for candidates to showcase their abilities, moving beyond rigid interview formats.

Inclusive Change’s Neurodiversity and Recruitment training course offers essential insights into how businesses can adapt their hiring processes to be more neurodivergent-friendly. With 15–20% of the global population being neurodivergent, forward-thinking companies have a real opportunity to tap into this talent pool and foster more inclusive workplaces.

Take the Next Step: Build a More Inclusive Workplace

Creating safe and accessible spaces, whether at industry events or within workplaces benefits everyone, particularly those who face multiple barriers due to neurodiversity or disability. If you’re looking to make meaningful changes in your organisation, Inclusive Change’s Neurodiversity and Recruitment training is the perfect place to start.  

Learn how to: 

✅ Adapt your hiring processes to attract and support neurodivergent candidates
✅ Make practical, reasonable adjustments that remove barriers in recruitment
✅ Foster a workplace culture that values cognitive diversity

📅 Get in touch to discuss your training requirements further: book your training here.

By prioritising inclusivity, we don’t just open doors for neurodivergent professionals, we create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Neurodiversity in the workplaceInclusive recruitmentNeurodivergent hiring practicesAccessible workplace designInclusive Change Neurodiversity and Recruitment trainingWomen in tech eventsLadies of Cheltenham Hacking SocietyRust programming workshop beginnersInclusive event best practicesDiversity and inclusion in cybersecurity
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  •  Organically grow the holistic world view of disruptive innovation

  •  At the end of the day, going forward, a new normal that has evolved

Column Header

  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consecetuer lorem ipsum

  •  Organically grow the holistic world view of disruptive innovation

  •  At the end of the day, going forward, a new normal that has evolved

Column Header

  • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consecetuer lorem ipsum

  •  Organically grow the holistic world view of disruptive innovation

  •  At the end of the day, going forward, a new normal that has evolved