HAYLEY BRACKLEY
A Neurodivergent Voice in the Blue Light World: Championing Inclusion,
Wellbeing, and Culture Change
Hayley Brackley is an experienced speaker, trainer, and facilitator, delivering impactful talks on neurodiversity, mental health, and inclusion in high-pressure environments. She has spoken at local and national fire conferences, as well as national leadership events, corporate training sessions, and inclusion-focused forums.
With a storytelling approach that blends warmth, humour, and lived experience, Hayley has engaged audiences at events such as the Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium and industry leadership forums. She has worked with fire and rescue services, policing teams, and healthcare professionals to explore how neurodiversity shapes decision-making, risk assessment, and team dynamics.
Her key topics include:
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Neurodiversity in high-stakes roles – how different thinkers enhance operational effectiveness
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Mental health resilience – tackling burnout and breaking the stigma in frontline services
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Inclusive leadership – practical steps to build teams where everyone thrives
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Training for neurodivergent minds – designing learning that works for all
Hayley’s passion lies in shifting mindsets from mere ‘awareness’ to meaningful change. Whether addressing senior leaders or frontline teams, she equips audiences with the tools to create workplaces where people can do their best
work without compromising their wellbeing.
Keynote themes -
1. Why Neurodiversity Matters in Emergency Services
Thinking Differently: Why Neurodiversity is a Strength in the Blue Light Sector
How different ways of thinking can improve decision-making, teamwork, and problem-solving in high-pressure environments.
2. Mental Health & Wellbeing for First Responders
The Unseen Emergency: Supporting Mental Health in Blue Light Teams
Practical ways to create a culture where people can talk about mental health and get the support they need, without fear of stigma.
3. Inclusive Leadership Under Pressure
Leading for Everyone: Building Stronger Teams in High-Stakes Situations
How inclusive leadership can improve team performance, communication, and wellbeing, even when the pressure is on.
4. Rethinking Training for Different Thinkers
Training That Works: How to Support Neurodivergent Brains in High-Stakes Roles
Exploring practical ways to make training accessible, engaging, and effective for people who think and learn differently.
5. Better Decisions Through Different Perspectives
Beyond the Checklist: How Different Thinkers Strengthen Ops Assurance
Why diverse perspectives lead to better risk assessment, decision-making, and operational outcomes.
6. From Struggling to Thriving: My Personal Story
Square Peg, Round Hole: A Neurodivergent Perspective on Changing the System
A personal and professional look at what needs to change to make workplace truly inclusive.
7. Creating a Culture Where Everyone Belongs
Beyond Inclusion: Why Belonging Matters in Emergency Services
Moving beyond policies and tick-box exercises to create workplaces where everyone feels valued and supported.
8. Breaking the Cycle of Burnout
It Shouldn’t Hurt to Care: How We Fix Burnout in the Blue Light Sector
A no-nonsense look at why so many people in emergency services burn out and what we can actually do about it.
BIO...
Hayley Brackley is a neurodiversity consultant, coach, and speaker working at the heart of UK fire and rescue services, supporting learning and training teams, HR professionals, and senior leaders. She develops leaders as they step into new roles, champions and coaches neurodivergent individuals, and helps organisations create truly inclusive cultures. With 13 years inside the fire service and now working closely with those shaping its future, Hayley understands the sector from the inside out. She has seen the dedication of those who serve, but also the personal cost of a system that wasn’t built with everyone in mind. Her work is about shifting the conversation, not just raising awareness of neurodiversity but making it practical, tangible, and something leaders feel confident embedding in their teams. Known for her raw, engaging, and humorous storytelling, Hayley’s talks are packed with insights, real-life experiences, and practical takeaways. Audiences describe her as incredible, down-to-earth, and impossible to ignore. She speaks not just as an expert, but as someone who has lived the experience — one of many who have been marginalised by the services they dedicated themselves to. Neurodivergence isn’t a weakness. It’s a difference. It’s not new, but talking about it and doing the right thing is. Hayley is making sure that conversation leads to real change.
Rosella Cottam
Institute of Government and Public Policy
“Hayley is a highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic individual. I have had the
pleasure to collaborate with her on recent projects related to Neurodiversity
and Emergency Services, and her expertise and passion are invaluable. She is
collaborative, insightful, and inclusive – I would highly recommend Hayley!”
Andrew Bays
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service
“Hayley spoke at the National 3 Emergency Services Disability Conference,
delivering an honest, passionate, and engaging talk on neurodiversity.
Hayley’s ‘TED Talk’-style delivery captivated the audience – I can confidently
say she stole the show. I highly recommend her to anyone considering a
speaker on neurodiversity and personal experience.”
Area Manager
UKFRS
“I had the pleasure of seeing Hayley speak at a recent conference. She was
warm, engaging and surprisingly for the topic, really funny! But she was also
raw. It was the first time I had heard someone share a story of what it's like to
be neurodivergent within the fire sector and she captured it perfectly. I left
with a new sense of both the reality of the sector, and optimism for the future,
full of practical take always on what I, as a leader, can do to be the change I want to see.”
