February 26, 2026, 09.30 – 14.35

STUC, Margaret Irwin Centre, Glasgow

 

Download the full programme here: www.scottishunionlearning.com/2026-Everyday-Skills-Programme

 

Register here or click the ‘Book your place now button’ at the bottom of this page.

 

Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event – Creativity and Neurodiversity in the Workplace

The 18th annual Scottish Union Learning Everyday Skills Event: Creativity and Neurodiversity in the Workplace will take place on Thursday, 26th February 2026, from 9.30am to 2.35pm at the STUC, Margaret Irwin Centre, 8 Landressy Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow G40 1BT.

The Event enables trade unions to raise awareness of Everyday Skills issues in the workplace and share best practice in supporting those with Everyday Skills needs. It is aimed at Union Learning Representatives, Learning Organisers, Equality Reps, tutors and members who can cascade information and skills in workplaces.

The 2026 Everyday Skills Event will focus on supporting workers to improve their creative writing skills and knowledge of neurodiversity in the workplace.

Keynote Speakers include Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Business and Employment; Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary, and Guest Speaker Gillian McConnell, Teaching Fellow, Department of Disability and Wellbeing, Strathclyde Institute of Education. In addition, participants will attend three interactive sessions.

Presentation: Supporting Neurodivergent Colleagues in the Workplace. Gillian McConnell, Course Leader for the Masters in Autism Courses at The University of Strathclyde.

Gillian has over 30 years’ experience of working with autistic and neurodivergent people and their families in a variety of settings, such as social care, criminal justice and education. Prior to joining the University, she held Senior Management positions and for 20 years was responsible for the service development, design and delivery of a wide range of services for autistic people of all ages.

Session 1: Build Your Own Memory Palace. Led by John Robertson, Director, Civicos Training and Communications.

Our brains are just not built for remembering lists, or lots of dry facts. Therefore, we usually rely on mental repetition until the information is ‘hard-wired’ into our heads. However, there are easier and surer ways to remember the things you need to recall.

This one-hour session takes you through one proven method - The Memory Palace. By the end of the hour, you will have the beginning of your own Memory Palace and, if you so wish can take this method forward and expand upon it later, and in your own time.

Session flow:

• Why we are terrible at memorising things.

• The Memory Palace – where the idea came from.

• How is works, using an example.

• Your opportunity to develop your own Memory Palace.

• Finish with an opportunity to try the technique with a supplied list of objects.

Session 2: Creative Writing and Literacy Skills in the Workplace. Led by Tim Lewis, Senior Partnerships Manager, The Open University in Scotland.

This session will provide you with an introduction to creative writing and how creative writing skills can be used as a hook to improving the literacy skills of workers. You will learn methods to create compelling dialogue and glean tips from a wide range of contemporary fiction and scripts. In addition, you will get to try out these approaches yourself.

Session 3: Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support neurodivergent workers. Led by Craig Steele, Director, Digital Skills Education.

Artificial Intelligence apps and tools can make a huge difference for neurodivergent workers. Join us for an interactive, practical, supportive session exploring how these tools can help neurodivergent people thrive at work. Whether you are neurodivergent yourself, supporting colleagues who are neurodiverse, or simply curious about inclusive technology this is the session for you.

We will explore AI-powered apps that support everyday work tasks such as organising projects, managing focus, processing information and communicating with colleagues.

We will look at tools that can support with:

• Writing and note-taking, and communication.

• Understanding and responding to more complex information.

• Organising tasks and managing time.

• Boosting focus and reducing being overwhelmed.

• Amplifying voice and supporting self-advocacy.

No technical knowledge is necessary to participate in this session.

 

To attend the Event, please register by Monday, 16th February 2026.

If you have any queries about the event or registration, please contact Natalie Price at SULEvents@stuc.org.uk.

Book your place now