Connect Therapy Services, the independent occupational therapy provider trading as Connect Specialist Therapy Services, has been named a finalist in The Inclusion Award at the 2026 Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards.
Based in Hull and East Yorkshire, the specialist service supports children and young people with special educational needs, particularly neurodivergent individuals and those with complex sensory, emotional and functional needs. It was established to address a significant gap in local provision, and offers assessment, intervention, school support, training and community-based wellbeing services for children, families, schools and organisations.
A neuro-affirming approach
Operating within the health, education and wellbeing sector, Connect works across clinics, schools, homes and community settings. It supports young people who may experience challenges with sensory processing, emotional regulation, anxiety, school attendance, motor skills and participation in daily life, taking a holistic, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed approach that places wellbeing, inclusion and meaningful participation at the centre of all support.
According to the business, it is currently the only independent occupational therapy service in Hull and the East Riding with a dedicated focus on children and young people with special educational needs, alongside a mission centred on advocacy, wellbeing and community impact. The service is recognised, it says, for pushing boundaries, developing bespoke partnerships with schools and organisations, and creating opportunities for children and families who may otherwise feel excluded or unsupported.
Partnerships and lived experience
Connect has built collaborative relationships with local schools, charities and community organisations, including Aim Higher, helping to improve access to support and social inclusion opportunities. Alongside direct therapy, it delivers training and awareness sessions for schools and professionals to raise understanding and acceptance of neurodivergent individuals across the region.
A key strength, the company reports, is its values-led team culture. The organisation actively embraces lived experience and is proud to employ and support a neurodivergent workforce, recognising the importance of representation, authenticity and understanding within service delivery. That commitment aligns closely with the criteria for The Inclusion Award, which celebrates organisations demonstrating exceptional commitment to inclusivity.
Growing impact across the region
Significant achievements reported by the business include the rapid growth of the service across Hull and East Yorkshire, the development of specialist school partnerships and wellbeing programmes, and the expansion of community-based group interventions. Through innovation, advocacy and compassionate practice, Connect continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact within its sector and local community.
The winner of The Inclusion Award will be announced at the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House, London, on 10 November 2026.
