FAQs
All your questions answered. If you still have questions, please contact us at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk
About our services
Uncommon offers a comprehensive range of services designed specifically to support neurodivergent young people (aged 8-16) and their families. Our services adapt and grow with each young person's needs:
One-to-one mentoring with neurodivergent young adults who share lived experience
Weekly online interest-led clubs (Minecraft, Roblox, D&D, Creative Writing, etc.)
Psycho-educational courses like "Understanding My Brain"
Themed summer camps with immersive 3-day experiences
Community Hour Clubs - relaxed social spaces where young people connect around shared interests
Creative Afternoons Clubs are 1-hour standalone drop-ins where young people can explore writing, drawing, roleplay, or video
Bespoke support packages that can include mentoring, clubs, and courses tailored to individual needs
All our services are designed and delivered by neurodivergent staff with small group sizes (4-6 young people per group) and flexible participation options where young people choose how to engage (camera on/off, chat vs voice).
Yes, our services are all held online and accessible UK-wide. We use Zoom for our sessions, making them accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Yes we do, we have young people from across the world as we are fully remote.
We just require your young person to be able to participate in English and we apply the same standards of ID verification that we do in the UK to ensure the safety of our young people.
We support young people aged 8-16 with neurodivergence, including those who are:
Awaiting formal diagnosis
Recently diagnosed
Self-identifying as neurodivergent
Have diagnoses of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or other neurodivergent differences
Our approach is flexible and responsive to individual needs, regardless of diagnostic status.
Yes, we can support various educational goals:
Academic skills: Many of our mentors are also tutors (some with advanced degrees)
Study skills: Neurodivergent-friendly study strategies and organisation
Project-based learning: Gamified learning through Minecraft Education, Roblox Education, etc.
Transition support: Helping young people prepare for new educational settings
Alternative provision: We can be part of EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) packages
Yes. Please send an email to hello@uncommonminds.co.uk to book a call with us, or share your needs. We can then draft a short document setting out how the services you’d like from us can meet your child’s EHCP needs. In the meantime, click here for a general document on how our services respond to EHCP needs.
Yes, definitely. Our courses about ‘Understanding my brain’ are a great way to help young people better understand how they experience their neurodivergence and how to manage the situations they may find challenging. They will also see that others do experience the world like they do and that they are not alone.
Yes, definitely. Our courses about ‘Understanding my brain’ are a great way to help young people better understand how they experience their neurodivergence and how to manage the situations they may find challenging. They will also see that others do experience the world like they do and that they are not alone.
Yes. Our mentors and club leaders are digital natives so can meet the young people where they are when gaming and socialising online. This allows them to support them in the areas they need it, whether it is social skills and friendships, technical gaming skills or growing their knowledge and expertise around specific topics, such as drawing or animal welfare.
Yes, of course. We know that you may arrive at Uncommon following a really difficult time or maybe you’re still in the midst of one. Please do get in touch with us at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk and we can help you find the right place to start. And if your child is really anxious, don’t worry, we will guide you to find a space where they can start to rebuild their confidence.
Uncommon tends to work well for young people who:
Want to connect with other neurodivergent young people
Are interested in gaming, technology, or creative activities
Learn better in small, supportive groups
Need support building confidence and support building friendships
Are looking for neurodivergent role models and mentors
Uncommon is led by neurodivergent people, for neurodivergent people. Unlike other more clinical services that focus on deficits, we focus on strengths, interests and building confidence through shared experience. Key differences include:
Lived experience: All our staff who deliver sessions or mentoring are neurodivergent young adults (18-30) who truly understand the experience.
Holistic support: We offer a spectrum of services - mentoring, clubs, courses, camps, community - so young people can access exactly what suits them best. We don’t just offer one service but a journey-based approach spanning throughout childhood and adolescence.
Interest based: Unlike programmes that focus on one area, we offer a broad spectrum of activities covering gaming, art, animation and more. This allows children to start with activities they are already passionate about and feel confident in, and then when they are ready, they have the opportunity to explore new areas whilst staying in the same supportive community.
Belonging: We focus on genuine peer connection and friendships, not just individual support.
Neurodivergent affirming: We celebrate neurodivergent joy and authentic self-expression, never trying to fix or mask differences.
Flexible participation: Young people choose how to engage - cameras off, chat instead of voice, taking breaks as needed.
Our fundamental belief is that there's no "wrong" way to be a child in our sessions. We work with each child's natural rhythms and needs rather than expecting them to conform to a rigid structure. This respect and acceptance creates a unique environment where children can learn and grow while feeling completely accepted for who they are.
We want to make sure that every young person who joins Uncommon feels seen and understood. Getting to see how others have navigated squiggly paths through education (time out from school, home education, alternative provision etc) and come out the other side is really reassuring. The club leaders are all genuinely passionate about their club topic, so can really share in your child’s passions. They are also digital natives so are very happy in the online community. Our club leaders often become a really positive, aspirational role model for our members. We also have a powerful role model series where we talk to people from the ND community about their passions and experiences growing up. Everything we do is about trying to reinforce positive messages about being neurodiverse.
Community Hour Clubs are relaxed social spaces where young people connect around shared interests:
Anime Club – Watch, chat, and draw your favourite characters
Zine Club – Help us co-create an Uncommon (maga)zine! Contribute art, writing, ND hacks, or reviews
Gamers Club & Showcase – Show off builds from Minecraft, Roblox, or other games
Games Night – Play casual games like Jackbox, Gartic Phone, and more – low-pressure and full of laughs
Free for campers and available to others via drop-in or Class Pass.
Camps are immersive and structured over 3 days with the same group.
Creative Afternoons are 1-hour standalone drop-ins, where young people can explore writing, drawing, roleplay, or video – even if they can’t attend every week.
We run our sessions 48 weeks per year, so that our members get to join their clubs throughout the year, without the dreaded ‘holiday’ lapse.
Getting started
We typically recommend:
Start with Mentoring: Builds a key relationship and confidence
Add Clubs Gradually: Once comfortable, try clubs aligned with interests
Consider Courses: If appropriate for your child's needs and stage
For anxious young people, starting with mentoring provides the safest introduction to our community.
Email us: hello@uncommonminds.co.uk with your child's name, age, and interests
Brief call: We'll schedule a short conversation to understand your child's needs
Tailored recommendations: We'll suggest the best starting point for your child
Introductory session: Begin with a low-pressure introduction to our community
No. You can book a taster session for £10 to give the club a go. After that, you can simply pay as you go, booking each session as and when it feels right. This option means you have the flexibility to go with the flow of your child’s needs and interests.
We have made it as easy and flexible as possible. The best thing to do is to download the Momence app here and use it to book and manage your sessions (instant booking is also available). We also pride ourselves on our quick email response time (we know how frustrating it is to have to wait when your child needs help) and that we are on hand to help you problem solve if you are struggling to find the right options.
Will my child actually engage?
Absolutely. We offer guidance on managing sensory sensitivities and can adapt our sessions accordingly. We also run webinars on "Sensory Sensitivities" for parents.
Yes, our sessions are designed to accommodate various skill levels, and our facilitators adapt activities to meet individual needs.
We understand that group settings can feel overwhelming. Our team is experienced in supporting anxious young people. Here are some ways we support anxious young people:
Gentle Introduction: We can provide detailed information about session structure, group sizes, and facilitators beforehand
Flexible Participation: No pressure to turn cameras on, speak aloud, or participate in ways that feel uncomfortable
Breakout Support: If needed, we can create private breakout rooms during sessions for one-on-one support
Mentor Support: For those doing mentoring, their mentor can join them in clubs initially for extra support
No Pressure Policy: If they're not ready to participate on any given day, that's completely okay
No Masking: We encourage young people to move around, stim, fidget, bring their favourite plushy or pet to session, whatever they need to feel more relaxed.
This is completely normal, we understand neurodivergent young people have varying energy levels and needs. We encourage a gentle approach and can discuss strategies to help your child feel more comfortable. There's no pressure to participate if they're not ready and sessions are recorded so they can catch up later if they wish.
Absolutely. Our neurodivergent team has extensive experience supporting young people with PDA and sessions are designed with this in mind:
Demand-friendly language: We use collaborative language ("I'm going to ask a question now" rather than "Tell me about...")
Choice and autonomy: Young people always have control over how they participate
Flexible structure: We adapt activities based on what feels manageable each day
No forced participation: Everything is invitation-based rather than demand-based
Understanding team: Our facilitators understand PDA and won't take non-participation personally
Yes, of course. If you email us at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk and let us know which club your child is joining, we can make the club leader aware. They will then support your child during the session and make sure they are managing ok.
We celebrate all the ways children express themselves! Our sessions are designed so that children can be noisy, distracted, or simply not want to participate in certain activities while still remaining part of the group. We understand that children have different needs and energy levels, and we work with that rather than against it. When children become excited or chatty, we often turn it into a positive group experience. For example, if everyone starts shouting "cheese" and being silly, we might take a break and let everyone shout as loudly as they need to - giving them the outlet they're seeking rather than trying to suppress their natural energy.
Our team gets to know each child as an individual through ongoing participation. When a child has a challenging moment, our team don't have to guess what might work - they know that specific child's patterns, preferences, and what strategies have been effective before. Our team communicates and shares insights about each child, building a comprehensive understanding that goes beyond standard best practices. This means your child receives truly personalised support rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
We use breakout rooms thoughtfully to support children experiencing sensory challenges. If a child is overwhelmed by noise or activity, we can move them to a calmer space without making them feel excluded or different. This is always done with sensitivity and care, celebrating the child's self-awareness about their needs. The way we handle this ensures that children who need to move away from stimulation don't feel punished - it's presented as taking care of themselves, which is something to be proud of.
We maintain an excellent ratio of children to facilitators specifically so we can provide individual attention when needed. This means there's always someone available to support a child who might be struggling, without taking away from the experience of other participants. Our hosts are trained to recognise when a child needs additional support and can respond immediately and appropriately.
No long-term commitment: Try a few sessions to see if it's a good fit
Flexible adjustments: We can change mentors, try different clubs, or adjust approaches. If group work isn't right, we can focus on individual mentoring
Honest communication: We'll work with you to understand what's not working and make changes
Safety & behaviour support
We keep small group sizes and experienced team members to help prevent most conflicts. However, conflict happens, and is a natural part of social learning. Here’s our approach:
Collaborative problem-solving: We work with young people to resolve issues rather than imposing punishments
Individual support: Private breakout rooms for one-on-one conversations when needed
Repair and learning: Focus on understanding, repair, and learning from conflicts rather than punishment
Clear communication: We keep parents informed about any significant incidents and our response
Our neurodivergent team recognizes dysregulation signs early and responds with understanding:
Sensory awareness: We monitor for overstimulation and adjust accordingly (e.g., muting all participants when noise levels get too high)
Immediate support: Our team members can move children to private breakout rooms for calming support
Parent contact: We'll contact parents if additional support is needed
Follow-up: We check in after sessions to ensure everyone feels supported
Our facilitators approach every interaction with genuine compassion, respect, and acceptance. When children are struggling, we meet them where they are with understanding rather than judgment. We see challenging behaviors as communication of unmet needs rather than problems to be fixed.
Safeguarding our members is our top priority and underpins every decision we make.
Clear policies: We have comprehensive safeguarding and privacy policies. Read here.
Private gaming servers: We use our own private Minecraft servers and Roblox servers so no one can join unless they are paid members of Uncommon.
Vetted & well-trained staff: Our recruitment involves rigorous background checks. All staff are DBS checked and trained in online safeguarding
Monitored communication: All chat and voice communication happens within our supervised session
We only use private Uncommon servers for Roblox and Minecraft and the club leaders are always there to keep a close eye on what is happening in session. Every club is run by a club leader who is a digital native who will model positive gaming behaviours and provide subtle guidance on how to build healthy friendships online. We also have a clear set of guidelines of how we expect members to behave when they are in our servers and we keep a close eye to make sure everyone respects these.
We have had a lot of experience supporting anxious young people who may have experienced peer rejection or bullying, or be vulnerable to exploitation. During our sessions we can provide mentor support as well as guidance on healthy friendships. Our clubs are a safe space to ‘practice’ friendships whilst getting advice from others. Our courses are also a great way for your child to better understand their neurodivergence and how to manage situations that they may find challenging.
Our approach is always to handle situations with compassion and respect, focusing on the child's emotional needs first. We believe in transparent communication with families. If any incident occurs during a session, we proactively contact parents afterward to explain what happened and how we addressed it. This ensures you're never left wondering about your child's experience and can continue any conversations or support at home if needed.
Booking sessions
You can book through our website at bemoreuncommon.com or by emailing us with your child's name, age, and preferred program. We need your child's name, age, and any relevant information about their needs or circumstances that might help us provide better support.
Yes, you can book session blocks or multiple courses. We often offer package deals for multiple sessions.
Session confirmations and Zoom links are typically sent 24-48 hours before the session. If you haven't received your session confirmation within 24 hours of booking, please check your spam folder first. If it's not there, email us at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk with your child’s name and session details and we'll resend it immediately.
Yes, we understand that scheduling conflicts happen. Please email us at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk as soon as possible to discuss rescheduling options.
Yes, we record most sessions and can provide access to recordings when children are absent. Please contact us at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk to request the session recording.
That’s what Uncommon is for! We offer a Class Pass (10 Community clubs, Creative afternoons or Community hour sessions for £100 (just £10/session).
Joining sessions
We run our sessions on Zoom. If your young person is gaming or using other software, we will all meet on Zoom, and then move into servers or other virtual environments together.
We will share a list of any technology or tools you will require for each session following sign up. Please check your confirmation email to prepare.
Before your session, ensure you have a Zoom account and can sign in. If you're still having issues, reply to our email or contact us immediately. We recommend testing your Zoom access beforehand.
For gaming or games design sessions, please read our setup instructions and ensure you've installed and logged into the relevant platforms in plenty of time before the club starts.
You’ll find a list of any specific bits of kit you’ll need on the individual club pages [link].
Technical issues with platforms like can sometimes occur. If you’re struggling to get into sessions please hello@uncommonminds.co.uk, and we'll help troubleshoot the problem and if something isn’t working while you’re in the session, our club leaders are always on hand to help smooth out any technical issues.
Yes. You can join with cameras on or off; you can join with the mic on or off; you can use the chatbox / messaging or simply keep yourself to yourself. It’s totally up to you.
Yes. You can use the Zoom chat to share comments or to DM club leaders directly. We also use Slido in many sessions, which is an anonymous survey tool where club and course leaders ask questions or share polls. Lots of club members also use the Roblox and Minecraft chats to communicate with each other.
Payments & pricing
As a member you will receive a reduced rate per session. We also offer a 30% discount on our clubs and courses to those on Universal Credit. And if you would like to speak to us about a payment plan, please drop us an email at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk to discuss this with us.
We prefer to reschedule when possible. Please contact us at hello@uncommonminds.co.uk to discuss your specific situation and/or alternative session times and dates.
The Class Pass gives you 10 sessions for £100 (just £10/session). Use it for:
Creative Afternoons
Community Clubs
Community Hour sessions (where applicable)
👉 Camps are not included in the Class Pass.
You can:
Switch to our Go Slow plan (use your 4 sessions over 6 weeks)
Or keep your regular membership and double up in some weeks – totally fine!
Yes! Your membership keeps your regular club spot, and the Class Pass gives you affordable flexibility to try extras.
Making friends
Supporting children and young people who are taking a break from education, have struggled with in-person activities, or experienced bullying is central to what we do here. Our sessions provide a safe space where they can find others who have had similar experiences so they won’t feel so alone.
Building genuine friendships is one of our core goals:
Shared interests: Young people connect over genuine common interests. With the clubs, young people will always have two things in common with other members - a common interest like Anime or Minecraft, as well as their neurodivergence, providing a great place to start to build new friendships.
Shared experiences: Children and young people share their experiences (if they want to) and realise that others feel the same way they do
Ongoing relationships: Weekly clubs and mentoring create space for friendships to develop naturally
Safe spaces: Our neurodivergent-affirming environment helps young people be their authentic selves. It’s a safe space to chat about a hyper fixation or just hang out with like-minded people. Club leaders are also always on hand to help navigate friendships online.
Community building: We have an online community space where young people can continue connecting between sessions
Yes, we try to keep people in our systems as much as possible.
Online Community: We provide a safe, moderated online space for continued connection
Gaming Connections: Young people often friend each other in games like Roblox. If you become a Roblox or Minecraft member, your child will get free access to the private Uncommon Roblox / Minecraft servers every day 10am until 8pm. This is especially popular with those who are currently not in full time education.
Parent facilitated: We can connect parents who want to arrange additional meetups or gaming sessions. Please let us know after a session if you want us to pass your details on to other participants.