November 4, 2026
Making space for everyone means creating a world where people are not defined by their circumstances, where children can participate, young people can pursue their ambitions and mothers are reminded that their own dreams still matter.
A Walk to Remember: Making Space for Mums Too
This October, I had the opportunity to take part in a campaign shoot and walk the runway at Lagos Fashion Week for fashion brand Hertunba.
It was a particularly meaningful experience for me, not simply because I was walking a fashion runway, but because of what it represented.
As mothers raising children with additional needs, so much of our lives can become wrapped up in caring, advocating, arranging appointments, navigating systems and making sure our children have what they need. Somewhere along the way, it can become easy to lose sight of ourselves and the dreams we had long before motherhood.
I was especially moved by the messages I received from mothers who said how much it meant to see a woman in her 40s, and particularly a special-needs mum, walking that runway.
It reminded me that we need to see more of these moments. We are still women with ambitions, interests, talents and dreams of our own. Motherhood does not mean putting those dreams away indefinitely.
Sometimes, making space for everyone also means making space for ourselves.
The festive season is approaching, bringing celebrations, family gatherings, parties and plenty of excitement. But for some children with sensory sensitivities, communication differences or other support needs, these occasions can also bring unfamiliar environments, changes in routine, noise and overwhelming expectations.
We believe inclusion should extend beyond awareness into the everyday things we do to make children feel welcome and comfortable.
This month, we’ve put together a free downloadable Inclusive festival season guide with checklist, with practical tips for parents, families and hosts on making celebrations more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
From preparing children for unfamiliar experiences to thinking about noise, food, routines and expectations, the guide is designed to help families navigate the season with a little more confidence and understanding.
DOWNLOAD OUR FREE INCLUSIVE FESTIVE SEASON GUIDE WITH CHECKLIST
We have some lovely news for families, educators and book lovers in the UK and Europe you can now order our Ugo & Sim Sim collection online, with all our books accessible through our website at https://simones-oasis.org/our-books/ or via Positivitee ‘n’ Things Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/positiviteenthings?ref=shop_sugg_market
Our stories explore everyday childhood experiences through the eyes of Ugo and Sim Sim, encouraging representation, understanding and conversations about difference.
One of the books, I Don’t Like the Birthday Song, is particularly relevant to this month’s festive-season guide. Through Sim Sim’s experience, it opens up conversations about sensory sensitivities, celebrations and understanding that not every child experiences familiar occasions in the same way.
Discover the Ugo & Sim Sim collection and find out how to order:
Also, following our postponement last month, Simone’s Instagram live reading is happening this November! We look forward to sharing that special moment with you.
One of the most significant milestones from our Neurodiverse Creators Lab (NCL) pilot has been seeing what happens when young people are given the opportunity, training and support to pursue their creative interests.
We are particularly pleased to share that one of our Cohort 1 participants began a permanent position with Trace Media in October.
This is an important milestone, not just for the participant, but for what we are working towards at Simone’s Oasis.
Our ambition has always been to move beyond conversations about inclusion and create tangible pathways into the creative industries for neurodivergent young people.
This is what making space looks like in practice.
There is plenty happening behind the scenes as we develop the next phase of our storytelling and creative programmes.
Special Mums Africa Podcast
We are in pre-production for the next season of our podcast, continuing to create space for honest conversations and stories from mothers raising children with additional needs across Africa.
Ugo & Sim Sim Micro Animations
We are currently producing our Little Life Loops micro animations: short, everyday animations designed to model familiar experiences and behaviours for neurodiverse children.
Neurodiverse Creators Lab – Cohort 2
We are preparing for our second cohort, building on the lessons and outcomes of our pilot as we work towards creating more opportunities for neurodivergent young people to explore and develop their creative interests.
As we look towards the next phase of our work, we are seeking partners and sponsors who share our commitment to representation, inclusion and creating opportunities.
We are currently looking for sponsorship support for:
Neurodiverse Creators Lab – Cohort 2
Helping us provide training, resources, facilitators and opportunities for another group of neurodivergent young people.
Special Mums Africa Podcast
Supporting the next season of conversations that bring the experiences and perspectives of African mothers raising children with additional needs to a wider audience.
Whether through corporate sponsorship, partnerships or sharing our work with others, you can help us reach more families and create more opportunities.
Interested in partnering with us?
Contact us at hello@simones-oasis.org to explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
Thank you for continuing to be part of the Simone’s Oasis story. Every story shared, every conversation started and every opportunity created brings us closer to a world where everyone has room to belong, participate and thrive.
Simone’s Oasis Foundation
