Forming Connections for business

Forming Connections supports organisations to create workplaces where people can function, contribute and thrive, by understanding how nervous systems, regulation and inclusion affect performance, wellbeing and retention.

I’m Brenda, a teacher and inclusion specialist with over 20 years’ experience working across complex systems where people are under pressure to perform, adapt and cope. For much of my career I supported schools , as a SEND practitioner, outreach lead and Local Authority advisory teacher, to understand why individuals were struggling and how organisational practices were often unintentionally contributing to stress, dysregulation and disengagement.

As I moved into supporting organisations beyond education, the parallels became impossible to ignore.

Many workplaces operate in ways that keep nervous systems in a state of ongoing threat or overload, through constant urgency, unclear expectations, high cognitive and social demands, lack of psychological safety, or environments that do not take difference into account. Over time, this affects concentration, decision‑making, emotional regulation, collaboration and health. The impact is often seen in sickness absence, reduced productivity, burnout and difficulties with retention.

Alongside this, many organisations are increasingly aware that they are not fully meeting the needs of neurodivergent, disabled or otherwise differently wired employees or service users. Without inclusive, regulation‑informed practices, people can be perceived as ‘not coping’ in systems that were never designed with them in mind, again contributing to stress, absence and turnover.

Forming Connections was created to support organisations to address these challenges at a systemic level.

My work helps leaders and teams understand:

• how workplace practices and cultures affect nervous system regulation
• why stress and overload undermine performance, learning and collaboration
• how to create environments that support focus, flexibility and psychological safety
• how to build more neuro‑affirming, inclusive practices for diverse teams and clients

I translate neuroscience and regulation science into clear, practical insights that organisations can apply without adding unnecessary complexity. The focus is not on individual resilience, but on creating conditions where people are better supported to do their best work.

I work with organisations, leaders and teams through workshops, facilitated sessions and consultancy to build workplaces that are healthier, more inclusive and more sustainable, for both people and performance.