CREATIVE Workshops
for Neurodivergent Children
NeuroSpicy Mind CIC runs creative workshops and art exhibitions to raise autism awareness and reduce stigma in Afro-descendant and minority communities. The group also addresses inherited trauma through artistic creativity and African spirituality.
Who We Are
Marcelle, a single parent from Cameroon raising neurodivergent children, and Violetta whose family experienced trauma in the ghettos of Krakow during World War II are the founders of NeuroSpicy Mind CIC
We transform pain into power through paintbrushes and poetry, creating sacred spaces where neurodivergent souls flourish without fear. We rebuild communities one creative session at a time, turning isolation into connection and shame into celebration. Through art, we help families reclaim their stories, access vital support and create new narratives where neurodiversity is treasured as beautiful human diversity.
Our Mission
Our mission is to raise awareness about neurodiversity and autism within Black Afro-descenant and minority communities, breaking down stigma and taboos that lead to under-diagnosis and reluctance to seek help. Through creative workshops, art exhibitions and educational talks, we empower our community by building trust and self-confidence while addressing inherited trauma from slavery, post-colonisation and systematic racism. By integrating artistic creativity with African spirituality, we aim to break cycles of generational pain and create pathways to healing and a brighter future for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Breaking Barriers
Building Bridges
We support neurodivergent individuals and families in Afro-descendant and minority communities who deserve to thrive, not just survive.
Through our creative workshops and community events, we've connected isolated families, helped parents access vital resources and created lasting friendships that extend far beyond our sessions. Many families tell us our programs have transformed their understanding of neurodiversity, moving from shame and confusion to pride and empowerment.
Creative Sessions
We blend creative magic through paint, poetry, storytelling and therapeutic art sessions that transform struggles into strengths while celebrating cultural heritage. From intimate workshop circles to prestigious Southampton gallery exhibitions, we create pathways where neurodivergent voices are heard, honoured and celebrated by the wider community.
Did you know?
Autism is significantly under-diagnosed in Black and minority communities due to cultural stigma and barriers to accessing support. Black children are often diagnosed later than their white peers, missing crucial early intervention, while inherited trauma from slavery and colonisation can compound mental health challenges across generations.
In many African and Caribbean cultures, what we now recognise as autism was traditionally viewed through a spiritual lens? Children who displayed different behaviours were sometimes considered to have special gifts or connections to ancestral wisdom - a perspective that contrasts sharply with Western medical models.
In some West African languages, there are no direct translations for "autism" or "ADHD"? Instead, communities use descriptive phrases that focus on the person's unique way of experiencing the world - like "the one who sees differently" or "the child who walks their own path."
Our Exhibitions
From Workshop to Spotlight: Where Hidden Talents Take Center Stage
For our children, seeing their artwork displayed in real galleries transforms them from feeling "different" to feeling celebrated - they discover their voices matter and their stories deserve to be heard. Families experience profound pride seeing their child's unique perspective celebrated publicly, transforming neurodivergent traits from struggles into celebrated strengths.
Help us continue our work
Every donation, no matter the size, directly impacts our ability to create safe spaces, deliver life-changing programs and build a more inclusive community.
Contact us
Telephone: Marcelle +44 7949750841
Telephone: Violetta +44 7881239582
E-mail: info@neurospicymind.org
Address: Southampton, Hampshire, UK
Address
Community Room
38 James Street
Southampton
SO14 1PJ
We organise workshops and events seasonally. In the near future we are looking to start drop-in sessions with the objective of reducing isolation.
Please get in touch. We'd love to have you join us for future creative activities!