Hello, I'm Lily

Lily talks about navigating life with three children, all with different needs.

"Public spaces - and especially public transport - have been deeply challenging for me for years, often triggering severe anxiety."

"I’ve always found busy public places overwhelming, but for a long time I didn’t understand why. It wasn’t until my mid-thirties, following my eldest daughter’s diagnosis, that so much began to make sense. Public spaces - and especially public transport - have been deeply challenging for me for years, often triggering severe anxiety. At times, it’s felt genuinely debilitating.

As a family, public outings can be hard work. We have three children, all with different ages and needs, and many environments simply aren’t designed with that level of difference in mind. Because of this, we often make conscious decisions not to attend certain places, or not to return after a difficult experience. This can range from restaurants and soft play centres to hotels, shops, and events. The lack of inclusivity - whether sensory overload, noise, crowds, or rigid expectations - can make what should be enjoyable feel exhausting or unsafe.

Our most positive experiences tend to be outdoors, where there’s space, flexibility, and the ability to step away to somewhere quieter. Nature offers a kind of built-in regulation. Of course, in the UK this comes with its own limits (rain and cold don’t always help!)

What I feel needs to change starts with curiosity. Awareness of neurodivergence is growing, but there’s still a gap between awareness and action. Real change happens when organisations ask better questions, listen to lived experience, and apply that insight thoughtfully.

I’ve seen encouraging steps - such as quieter sessions or earlier opening times - but I’d love to see this go further. Quiet spaces within buildings or transport, and simple options like being able to note sensory needs when booking, can make an enormous difference. Sometimes, feeling considered and accepted is everything."