Dyslexics 5 times more likely to be unemployed! New campaign launched by dyslexics to spread awareness.
The first dyslexia employment agency in the UK that is run by dyslexics is launching a campaign to try and spread awareness of the injustice many dyslexic people are facing, currently 4 in 10 dyslexics are unemployed where as only 1 in 10 make up the population as a whole. Exceptional Individuals founder Matthew Boyd dyslexic him self was recently featured on bbc news http://www.exceptionalindividuals.com/dyslexia-bbc/ .
Great Minds Think Different is a brand new campaign to celebrate the creativity, skills and enterprise of young dyslexic people. It is launching on Thursday 24th November at Platform Southwark in an evening of art, film, music, discussion and food by neuro-diverse people.
The campaign aims to change the conversation around dyslexia, challenge the broken systems and misconceptions around it in order to reflect the incredible work that’s being done by dyslexic people in the UK. It is presented by Exceptional Individuals, the first dyslexic employment agency, as recently seen on BBC news.
On the night will be the launch of the Great Minds Think Different website and the debut screening of the Great Minds Think Different film, interviewing the project’s young associates about the creative and unique ways dyslexia has made them think. These will include Rosa Prichard, architect at Richard Rogers, Lucy Bairstow & Jess Murrain from young theatre company ‘Theatre With Legs’, musician Oscar Jerome and Royal College of Art MA Design student Charlotte Fountaine.
After the film, there’ll be ‘21 Questions’, a fresh format panel discussion around changing services and perspectives around dyslexia, followed by spoken word performances and a live set from emerging musician, South East Londoner Oscar Jerome.
There will also the opportunities for attendees to apply to win £500 in funding for social enterprises to be run by dyslexic people.
Seeing the event as an opportunity to link up with other like-minded projects, fresh food will be provided by the young chefs from rising UK hip-hop/spoken word star Loyle Carner and GOMA Collective’s ADHD cooking school, as featured in Munchies, Vice’s food site.
Campaign artwork is by up-and coming dyslexic illustrator Gaurab Thakali, whose work has recently been celebrated in leading design publication It’s Nice That and has made artwork for brands including Boiler Room, Guiness & Adidas.
This event will run from 18:30 - 21:30 and free to attend, however registering is recommended.
Event Links
Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/2fhL1ko
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2foHhuU
Background information, useful statistics
According to the Dyslexia Institute, around 10% of the population are dyslexic and studies show that those with dyslexia are five times more likely to be unemployed. This is despite emerging evidence suggesting that dyslexics often show greater levels of creativity and better problem solving skills than their counterparts without dyslexia.
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Notes to Editors:
Exceptional Individuals is a social enterprise whose mission is to provide employment opportunities to dyslexic people and work with inclusive employers to utilise all the unique skills a dyslexic can bring.
Oscar Jerome is a young, self-made musician who this year was a finalist in Glastonbury’s emerging talent competition. Whilst he plays with many acclaimed bands including hip-hop outfit SumoChief, afrobeat collective Kokoroko and singer-songwriter Poppy Ajudha, his solo project channels inspiration from artists such as Gil Scott Heron, John Martyn and Ebo Taylor. Glastonbury Festival describes his latest EP as a ‘heady fusion of jazz rhythms, hip-hop bite and soulful melodies… both inexplicably energetic and laid-back.’
Loyle Carner is ‘Britain’s most recent new hope in hip hop,’ according to The Fader and countless others. The 20 year old emcee from South London has been causing quite a stir following the release of his debut ‘A Little Late’ EP in September of last year. Following the release of the EP, Loyle has gone on to work with the likes of Kate Tempest, Maverick Sabre, Tom Misch and multiple others.
GOMA is an ever-growing collective of creative heads bound by a distinctive, collaborative ethos. They build unique projects with a social and environmental conscience, seeking to explore and support communities across the world.
Platform Southwark is a multi-discipline, temporary event and project space in Southwark with a mission to encourage and promote groundbreaking art, music and performance. Current residents include the Young Vic, Illuminate Productions, Brainchild Festival and Transport for London.