Our Story
In 2019, Paul and Ashe, a couple with a shared passion for supporting the development of young people, founded Knights of the Shed. The initial vision of service was to establish an innovative and evidence based approach to the development of social skills for neurodivergent children and adolescents. They recognised that the social inclusion of neurodivergent people relies heavily upon learning pragmatic social approaches in a way that does not diminish neuro-difference. At the heart of their venture was a desire to see neurodivergent people have the same opportunities as everyone else and the communication skills to assert their needs and value.
To achieve this they knew they had to create a safe and inspiring space for self-discovery and personal achievement. Social skills needed to be practiced in-situ with peers to assist with generalisation and collaborative group activities needed to be meaningful and fun to help participants to remain motivated to push through barriers.
Naming the business was easy; the shed symbolises connection, friendship, family, and home – values that Paul & Ashe strive to foster in their work. And “Knights” refers to the participants, empowering them to embark on their own personal quests for growth and development. The playful name also signals the organisation’s lighthearted and approachable atmosphere, emphasising that growth and learning can be fun.
Today, Knights of the Shed welcomes over 100 participants each week in their Therapeutic Activity Based Social Skills Programs. Paul also sees individual participants in the Knights of the Shed – Your Story Arc Psychology Service. As an established safe space for a diverse & dynamic cohort of participants – Knights of the Shed is more than just a psychology and disability support business, it’s a community where young people can discover their strength, find their voice, and forge lasting connections.
