DAPHNE

Neuro-inclusive mentoring

DAPHNE is a neuro-affirming mentoring service for neurodivergent artists and allies, including arts organisations. Founded by Sonia Boué, an independent artist and mentor with more than ten years of neuro-affirming practice, it centres on practice development alongside tailored support for Arts Council England applications.

DAPHNE is inspired by Sonia’s mother, a teacher with a natural gift for pastoral care. It is more than a name; it is a framework for practice.

DEEP

ART-FOCUSED

PACED

HOLISTIC

NEURO-AFFIRMING

ETHICAL

“There is a quiet power in working this way, honouring where you are, while holding space for where you want to go.”

- Sonia Boué

Working together

Mentoring with Sonia begins with a free 30-minute discovery call, a chance to talk about where you are and what you need before committing to anything.

Sessions are available as one-off conversations or as ongoing support, depending on what works best for you. A sliding scale applies for individual artists.

For arts organisations, DAPHNE offers tailored support for neurodivergent programming and practice development.

Close-up portrait of a Sonia Boué with short, curly brown hair, wearing large, geometric glasses, against a plain white background.

Funding

Arts Council England Access Support funding can be used to cover the cost of your sessions. Sonia can support you through the application process.

If you are working toward a Developing Your Creative Practice or National Lottery Project Grant application, funding is available to cover up to three days of support at the standard ACE rate.

“For 3 years, Sonia has worked with us at Arts and Health Hub as a mentor as part of our Support Hub programme. Sonia has generously supported a number of neurodiverse and disabled artists, using neuro-affirming and person-centred methods in her mentoring. Sonia’s own lived experience, professional skills, and knowledge have made her the perfect mentor for the artists that we support. Her caring, understanding and encouraging approach has supported mentees to understand their own neurodivergence, develop ways of working that work for them (not against them) and secure funding for ongoing development.”