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Nicole Bateman

@nicolelbateman

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Mum of two, neuro-inclusion trainer
💜 #epilepsy
🧡 @thefriendlysendadvisor
🎙️ @conversationswithasendmum

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What I wish I knew about Inattentive ADHD...

When I first started exploring ADHD, I didn’t really see me in the descriptions.

I wasn’t the 'hyperactive, disruptive' child people talked about.

My hyperactivity wasn't outward, it showcased inwardly. I overthink everything and often feel overwhelmed by a brain that never quite switches off but also never quite focuses in the way others seem to.

After looking into the brain following my autistic son's epilepsy diagnosis I started to look deeper into the impact of nervous system dysregulation and learn more about neurodiversity.

When I was diagnosed in December 2024 my initial reaction was relief that I wasn’t making it up. I wasn’t lazy, messy, or just disorganised. My brain simply worked differently.

Here’s how inattentive ADHD shows up for me personally (everyone is different):

A hundred ideas racing through my head, but struggling to finish one before the next begins.

Forgetting small life and business admin tasks but remembering the tiniest emotional detail from years ago.

Finding it tricky to initiate and start tasks (especially ones that don't give me a dopamine hit).

Over-analysing conversations because of rejection sensitivity.

Needing calm, sensory-friendly spaces (and my big fluffy oodie) to re-regulate after networking or being at events.

Feeling emotions intensely.

Leaving things to the last minute even if I try really hard to get things done in advance!

Understanding this has been so helpful. I now am starting to work with my brain instead of constantly thinking that I've failed if strategies that work for others don't work for me.

If you’re wondering about your own focus, forgetfulness, or emotional overwhelm, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. There might just be a different story behind it.

Any other fellow late diagnosed ADHDers?

PD: Picture of Nicole smiling and popping bubbles. She has brown hair and is wearing glasses and a blue dress against a white brick wall.

#ADHDAwarenessMonth #InattentiveADHD #Neuroaffirming #UnderstandingYourBrain #ADHDAcceptance NeurodiversityCelebration

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If a child needs 1:1 support in school, what happens at 3.30pm when they want to go to football, dance, drama or a holiday club?

Who funds that support?

That question is at the heart of Jumping the Inclusion Gap Campaign and I need your help to reach 100,000 signatures.

For me, this is personal; my son is autistic and has epilepsy, and for years holiday clubs and activities were not something he could simply access in the same way as other children. I know what it feels like to want your child to have those ordinary opportunities for fun, friendship and independence, but find the support isn’t there.

I also work with activity providers through @thefriendlysendadvisor who genuinely want to include children well so they train, adapt and listen to families.

However when a child needs additional adult support, providers are often left to absorb the cost themselves, ask a parent to stay, or say they cannot safely offer the place. None of those options are ok.

That is why I’m asking the Government to create a ring-fenced SEND access fund within the Every Child Can enrichment programme.

Not every child with SEND needs 1:1 support, but when extra staffing, 1:1 or 1:2 support, or reasonable adjustments are needed, there should be funding to make access possible.

Goodwill cannot fund inclusion alone.

Please sign and share Petition 777808 (🔗 in bio) and help me jump, step or wheel over the inclusion gap.

Every Child Can should mean every child actually can.

#EveryChildCan #JumpingTheInclusionGap #TheFriendlySENDAdvisor #SEND

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Yesterday at CAA Ignite, we talked a lot about belonging.

And this is why I do what I do, helping organisations build on the amazing work they are doing to develop that neuro-inclusive space where all children feel like they genuinely belong.

Because when children feel safe, understood and supported, they have more opportunities to take part, build confidence, make connections and enjoy the things they love (which is particularly important for those kids who find the school system hard)

And working with children's activity providers I see such great practice but how do we make that experience consistent across the whole organisation?

That's exactly what my 3 month Neuro-inclusive Activity Partnership is designed to support.

Over 90 days, we work together, my eyes on your business, to create meaningful, practical change through:

Clarity: Understanding what's already working well and identifying opportunities across your customer journey, from that first enquiry with a family, nursery or school to the experience children have in your sessions.

Confidence: Equipping your team with bespoke training and practical tools so they feel more confident adapting their approach to meet different needs.

Change: Turning everything into a manageable 90-day action plan, with regular calls, WhatsApp support and accountability from me to help embed those changes into everyday practice.

The outcome?

A more confident team, a more consistent and inclusive experience for children, and families who feel reassured that their child will be understood, supported and welcomed as themselves.

Those organisations I'm working with right now feel that reassurance that I'm right there working alongside them.

If you'd like to explore what this could look like in your organisation, I've opened up some F.R.E.E Neuro-inclusion snapshot calls over the next few weeks.

We'll chat about your specific provision, celebrate what's already working and identify 3 practical actions to build on it.

Comment 'SNAPSHOT' and I'll send you the 🔗 to book.

Because belonging isn't just about being able to join in, it's about feeling that this is a place for you.

#TheFriendlySENDAdvisor #SEND

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These last few weeks have reminded me personally as a SEND Mum why children’s activities matter so much (especially when kids find the school environment hard).

Then, at Class Business Live I spoke with so many brilliant activity providers about the difference their classes can make.

Because it is never ‘just’ an activity.

Your activity can be the place where a child finds their thing, where they are welcomed as themselves, build relationships and experience a real sense of belonging.

Therefore I have created a few slots in my diary available for free 20-minute Neuro-Inclusion Snapshot calls over the next few weeks.

You complete a short eight-minute reflection form beforehand, then we chat through what is working and where there may be barriers. You’ll leave with three practical actions to help make your business more neuro-inclusive.

If we chatted at Class Business Live, or this feels relevant to your organisation, comment SNAPSHOT or message me for the link.

Ps thank you @iamkristinemonaghan for creating an amazing event celebrating all the class businesses and the wonderful things they bring to society

#NeuroInclusion #ChildrensActivities #InclusiveBusiness #SEND

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Turns out, I really do have a pretty cool business. 🥹💕

And the best part? It’s not actually the work. It’s the people I get to do it with.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of conferences, events, workshops, brilliant conversations and a LOT of miles on the road.

And I’ve had more than a few moments where I’ve thought… how lucky am I that I get to call this work?!

I get to spend my days surrounded by people who are genuinely passionate about making a difference to children and families.

I get to share what I know, help brilliant business owners grow in confidence, and hopefully make a little bit of an impact along the way.

Because helping children’s activity providers grow isn’t just about better marketing or more bookings.

It’s about helping amazing people reach more families, build businesses they love and make an even bigger difference.

And getting to play a small part in that? Pretty special, actually. ❤️

So yes, cool girls have cool jobs.

But I think I might have one of the coolest. 😉

#ChildrensActivities #ChildrensActivityProviders #MarketingConsultant #SmallBusinessMarketing #WomenInBusiness

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Where do I even start with yesterday’s Business Class Awards?! ❤️

What an absolute honour to have been one of the judges. And if anything, the whole experience has reminded me just how blooming brilliant the children’s activity industry really is.

An industry full of people who genuinely care. People with passion, purpose and a real desire to make a difference.

And judging? My goodness, it was HARD!

You hear people say, “Everyone was a worthy winner,” don’t you? But I genuinely mean it.

The stories behind these businesses. The reasons they started. The challenges they’ve overcome. The conversations I had with them.

Just incredible.

I also had the pleasure of hosting one of the mastermind tables, where we explored ways to grow our businesses. And once again, I was reminded just how many brilliant minds we have in this industry.

So, if you put yourself forward for an award and didn’t win this time, PLEASE don’t stop.

Go again. And again. And again. ❤️

And finally, I absolutely HAVE to talk about Krissy

Krissy Monaghan, you are an absolute LEGEND!

The thought, care and attention that went into every single detail of this event was something else.

The content was exactly what we needed. The speakers, the conversations, the timings. Everything had clearly been so carefully considered.

You absolutely smashed it, and I really hope you’re putting your feet up for a few days. You deserve it!

It was also just lovely to meet so many new faces, have some brilliant conversations and spend time with people who care so deeply about what they do.

I’m incredibly proud to be part of this industry.

And I can’t wait to do it all again! 💘👩‍🍳#lovebiz #childrensactivities #bizawards #bizclassawards #womeninbiz

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@entrepreneursgb 2025 Winner to 2026 Judge

Thank you to the Great British Entrepreneur Awards Team led by @frankie_j4y for the honour of inviting me to be one of the judges for this year's awards.

Last year I entered the Early Stage Stand Out Category with zero expectations, I saw the application writing itself as such a helpful exercise in helping me reflect on my first year of @thefriendlysendadvisor so when I was announced as a finalist I was very excited.

The awards ceremony itself, held at @grosvenorhouselondon was like being whisked off to a Cinderella movie setting with so many amazing entrepreneurs in one massive room.

I was filming as my name was read out and appeared on the big screen but when I was announced as winner by @calv_eden I dropped my phone in shock 😲 and even forgot to pick up my award before going on stage 😂🙌

Reading through some of the entries for this year's awards has been so interesting and I've loved seeing the big variety that the 2026 finalists bring. If you are a finalist but haven't yet got your ticket I would really encourage you to go because it really does feel like a dream. I went by myself last year, and was unsure about how it would be, but made new friends and bumped into some lovely fellow winners I knew like Robin, Channon and Natasha.

Who will I see at The Great British Entrepreneur Awards this year?

PD: red and navy graphic with a picture of Nicole saying Official judge 2026 second photo of Nicole smiling with her award wearing a green dress

#TheFriendlySENDAdvisor #GBEA #FemaleFounder #Neuroinclusion

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Last week I went to chat with my local MP @tomhayesmp

Tom is a great advocate for play, works closely with @playengland and chairs the APPG for Play and having spoken to him before I know he's an MP who cares about equal opportunities for children.

I went to chat with him about the Every Child Can enrichment paper and my petition to create a SEND access fund because of what I see working in the children's activities industry and as a mum of a child with SEND.

I see and work with providers who care and want to do all they can to include all children

I also see kids like my son who can't access lots of after school clubs etc without additional adult support.

Often there are 3 options if a child needs additional adult support and none of them are ok

1. The provider has to find additional money to pay for an additional adult (which for many small businesses is not viable and definitely not sustainable long term)

2. The provider has to ask the parent to stay (which is not great for working parents or parents who have other kids plus all the extra safeguarding risks etc)

3. The provider has to tell the family that they can't meet the needs of the child and so the child misses out on activities they love.

Goodwill cannot fund inclusion alone so therefore we need a ring fenced SEND access fund for community groups to be able to access in the Governments new enrichment plans.

Go to @thefriendlysendadvisor bio to sign the petition... and do share with others so every child actually can access activities they love.

PD: picture of Nicole and Tom with words saying last week I met with my local MP to share about children missing out

#SEND #EveryChildCan #JumpingTheInclusionGap #TheFriendlySENDAdvisor #ChildrensActivities

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What was your 'thing' at 10? (Or things?)

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and realised I definitely didn’t just have one.

I had swimming, netball, flute, piano and @stagecoachworldwide

I loved having lots of different things to throw myself into. When I was 10 @malonegareth was my drama teacher at Stagecoach Poole for a few terms and even helped me prepare an Alice and Wonderland monologue for the audition that led to me getting an all-rounder scholarship at school.

Looking back, those activities gave me so much more than skills, they gave me confidence, different groups of people to belong with, places to express myself and lots of different ways to work out who I was.

A child’s ‘thing’ doesn’t have to be one thing.

It might be sport, music, drama, gaming, lego, animals, coding, dancing or something really niche that they could talk about for hours. Or it might be their ' things' like me!

Because activities are rarely ‘just’ activities, they can be confidence, connection, regulation, joy, identity, belonging, or simply somewhere a child feels more like themselves.

So I’m getting ready to start asking people, What was your thing at 10? What made you light up? What did you get completely absorbed in?

I’ve got my phone, two little microphones, a rather large number 10 and a growing list of people I’d love to chat to (thanks for your nominations yesterday)

And there’s a bigger reason behind it too because so many neurodivergent children and those with disabilities are still missing out on activities they love because the support that would help them access activities isn’t quite there and some children haven’t even had the chance to find their thing, or their things, yet.

I really want to help change that.

More soon…

But first, I’d love to know: what was your thing at 10? Tell me in the comments

#YourThingAt10 #JumpingTheInclusionGap #TheFriendlySENDAdvisor #Stagecoach #ChildrensActivities

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It started with a jump, for the kids missing out...

At @ideas_fest , I asked @benshephardofficial @aj11ace , @curtispritchard12 , @iamhollymatthews @helenshub.uk @meganhumphreys_ @louiswxtkins @happyconfidentcompany and so many other brilliant people, to Jump the Inclusion Gap with me.

A little movement of joy (jumping, stepping or wheeling over the gap) for the children who are still missing out on the activities they love.

And I loved seeing people get behind it.

But afterwards I kept thinking...

I want to go deeper than the jump.

Because when we think back to being 10, so many of us had a ‘thing’, or several things.

The sport, the music. the drama class. the hobby we could disappear into. the place we found our people. The thing that gave us confidence, regulation, joy, belonging or simply somewhere we could be ourselves.

And that made me wonder:

What was their thing at 10?

What did it give them?

What do they understand about that child now?

What did the adults around them get right... and what might they have missed?

So I’m starting something new:

YOUR THING AT 10

Short, relaxed conversations about who people were before we knew who they became.

And there’s a reason I want to tell these stories.

Too many neurodivergent children and children with disabilities can’t access things they love because the support they need to take part isn’t there.

Others haven’t even been given enough opportunity to discover their thing, or their things, yet.

I want to help change that.

Because every child deserves the chance to find their thing.

I’m filming the first conversation tomorrow...

Whose 'Thing at 10' would you love me to find out? Tag them below and let's see if we can start the conversation...

#YourThingAt10 #TheFriendlySENDAdvisor #JumpingTheInclusionGap #ChildrensActivities

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