Jobs and volunteering opportunities

Peer Network Steering Group

Help us create a new Peer Network for neurodivergent creatives


Calling neurodivergent creatives!

We are looking for six neurodivergent (ND) creatives to become our steering group and help us design a new national Peer Network.

These are voluntary roles, with a bursary of £300 available for each steering group member.

What is the Peer Network?

Mainspring Arts are launching a new national Peer Network for neurodivergent creatives. We see the Peer Network becoming a core part of our programme, creating a supportive ND creative community and offering a programme of activity shaped by its members.

We want the Peer Network to be designed by our community, for our community – and that’s where we need your help! Our steering group will work closely with our Peer Network Project Lead, alongside further research with the wider community, to figure out what the Peer Network will look like.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for six people who:

  • Identify as neurodivergent (either formally or self-diagnosed).

  • Are practising creatives and/or have experience of the creative and cultural sector (when we say creatives, we mean any kind of creative e.g. performing, writing, digital, visual, live, music etc.)

  • Are based in the UK – we hope to find steering group members representing a range of areas of the UK.

  • Have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

  • Are aged 18 or over.

  • Are available for five online meetings between October 2025 and July 2026 (dates below), and are willing to do some tasks in between meetings.

  • We are keen to hear from ND creatives from communities who are underrepresented in the creative sector, including (but not limited to) people from the global majority, disabled, working class, migrant and LGBTQIA+ communities.


What will the steering group do?

Between October 2025 and July 2026, the steering group will:

  • Come to five online meetings (held on Zoom) facilitated by our Peer Network Project Lead, Stella Barnes.

  • Do some tasks between meetings.

  • Make sure our new network meets the needs of ND creatives.

  • Help us work out what ND creatives from across the UK want and need from the network.

  • Use feedback from ND creatives to decide on the network’s priorities and programme.

  • Help us recruit and commission artists to create work for the Peer Network launch.

  • Create a manifesto for the Peer Network.

  • Help us to reflect on and evaluate the Peer Network.


Meeting dates and times

  • Tuesday 28 October 2025, 6:30 - 8pm

  • Tuesday 25 November 2025, 6:30 - 8pm

  • Friday 19 December 2025, 6:30 - 8pm

  • Tuesday 20 January 2025, 6:30 - 8pm

  • Tuesday 16 June 2025, 6 - 8pm


How to apply

You can apply for this role in one of the following ways:

  • A voice message or video about 3 minutes long.

  • A written application of up to one side of A4.

Please include your:

  • Full name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

Please answer the following 4 questions in your application:

  • Where in the UK do you live and work?

  • What is your creative practice? If you have links to examples of your work, please include them.

  • Can you describe your commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion?

  • Why do you want to be part of the steering group and what skills, qualities or experience would you bring?


Please send your application to: hello@mainspringarts.org.uk

The closing date for applications is Monday 13th October at 10am.


If there is anything else we can do to make the process more accessible or if you need to apply in a different way from what we have suggested then please email us at hello@mainspringarts.org.uk.