WELCOME TO
my:ND Space
A Supportive Space
for the Neurodivergent Community
My:ND Space CIC, (formally Reet Good Wood CIC) is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Greater Manchester. We offer a supportive space for the Neurodivergent community; without needing a formal diagnosis.
We use the art of furniture upcycling and other creative practices to bring Neurodivergent people together; to help people develop their confidence, express themselves, make authentic connections, build a non-clinical support network and reduce social isolation.​
​
Our space is led by, and for, the Neurodivergent community, and the informal, peer led approach we encourage all comes from lived experience.
​​
During our workshops, we use creative practices to improve wellbeing and offer a variety of social events to encourage peer support in a non-judgemental, safe space.
​​​​
We’re passionate about providing a peer-led, supportive space for the Neurodivergent community in Greater Manchester and beyond. Our workshops provide attendees with opportunities to be their unmasked authentic selves, make meaningful connections, feel supported and understood, all whilst taking part in a relaxing, mindful activity.
​
​
​
​
To continue to provide this community space, our award-winning furniture is available to buy and is all refinished to a high standard. The profits from any sales are reinvested in to the project so we can offer more support for our community.
Take a look at our Shop and see for yourselves - your purchase would be supporting a much needed space!
​​
​
​​
​
​
​​​​​
Our Story
Our organisation was the brainchild of Ruth; a Neurodivergent Community and Youth Worker, and Furniture Artist.
In 2019, she received a late diagnosis of autism, and in 2025 an ADHD diagnosis. Prior to this she had spent her life trying to fit in to a world that wasn't made for Neurodivergent people. Ruth struggled to maintain long term 'formal' employment and found social situations exhausting; she felt like she had spent her whole life masking and pretending to be ok to fit in with her peers. As you can imagine, this takes its toll over time, with some people, even closest friends and family not fully understanding Neurodivergence or the impact and trauma of a late diagnosis.
​
Ruth quickly discovered that long term support for adults who are late diagnosed is virtually non-existent. The amount of people she met who were seeking support to understand their diagnoses but not getting any appropriate support was quite staggering. From her own experiences pre and post diagnosis, Ruth understood how hard it was to get the right kind of support to help unpack a late diagnosis. The NHS don't offer anything, and many health care professionals recommend 'counselling' or CBT, which suggests that Neurodiversity is something to be fixed. Whilst Neurodivergent conditions may come with some mental health difficulties, anti-depressants, counselling and CBT, without an offer of any kind of real support, is not always the answer, and in some cases can be more detrimental than helpful.
​
In 2023, Ruth decided to stop 'masking' and started to learn to be her authentic self. She put her energies in to something she was comfortable doing, in an environment she can control, at a pace that suits her.​ Being creative always gave Ruth a positive outlet to manage her thoughts and feelings, and it helped her come out of a year long burnout. This was Ruth's 'therapy' and she decided to set up a Community Interest Company in 2025, to provide a supportive space for Neurodivergent people, and those awaiting diagnosis.
Ruth wanted to share the art of furniture refinishing and other creative practices with her peers; to support others learn to be more authentic and accepting of their diagnoses, to provide an inclusive, creative space where people can support each other, learn new skills, and to reduce social isolation.
​
The long term goal is to expand the existing offer, with a view to providing Neuro-affirming education packages, post-diagnostic education, discounted therapy services delivered by a qualified Neurodivergent Psychotherapist, and to create a hub with a variety of support services available for neurodivergent people and their families.
​​
It's been quite a journey for Ruth, but this is only the beginning. We are now in the process of expanding and we will officially become my:ND Space CIC in the near future. Don't worry - furniture upcycling workshops will still be a part of it, but we're organically growing and we need to reflect what our community wants and needs within our restructure.​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​