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Sammi Ford is a dynamic and inspiring mental health speaker, known for her unique blend of lived experience, creative expression, and professional insight. Her talks are both heartfelt and informative, often incorporating performance poetry to add emotional depth and authenticity. Sammi’s ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level makes her a popular choice at conferences, corporate events, and wellbeing retreats. As a passionate advocate for neurodiversity and mental health awareness, she uses her platform to shed light on the often overlooked experiences of late-diagnosed neurodivergent women, especially those navigating midlife transitions.
Beginning her career as an RAF officer, Sammi broke barriers at a time when women were only just gaining equal footing in the military. She was awarded university sponsorship, learned to fly solo as a teenager, and went on to manage the supply of RAF helicopter spares during global operations. Following her service, she founded an international industrial supplies company, which she has successfully led for over twenty-five years in a predominantly male industry. Her resilience, leadership, and entrepreneurial mindset laid the foundation for her later work, where she now brings together her scientific knowledge, business acumen, and personal journey to educate and empower others.
In recent years, Sammi experienced a profound shift following an unexpected mental health crisis in her early fifties, triggered by a combination of menopause, empty nest syndrome, and the social impact of Covid and Brexit. This led to a life-changing NHS diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Since then, she has spoken on stages across the UK, including Neurodiversity Pride, The Lincolnshire Show, and The Writers’ Conference, delivering powerful talks and poetry performances. Her work has been featured in Beyond The Spectrum and Shine magazines, and her poetry has been shortlisted for the Hammond House International Literary Prize. She continues to receive widespread recognition for her storytelling, business achievements, and creative expression.
Event organisers and organisations hire Sammi for her authentic voice, engaging presence, and rare ability to speak from both personal and professional perspectives. Whether she’s discussing mental health, neurodiversity, or self-development, Sammi brings warmth, humour, and insight, leaving her audiences feeling informed, empowered, and truly seen.
“I had the pleasure of attending a talk on autism presented by Samantha, and I was genuinely impressed by her depth of knowledge and passion for the topic. Her presentation was both enlightening and engaging, effectively shedding light on the intricacies of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a way that was accessible to everyone in the audience, regardless of their prior knowledge. Samantha seamlessly combined research-based information with personal anecdotes and real-life examples, making the talk not only informative but also deeply relatable. Her ability to foster empathy and understanding was remarkable, as she highlighted the challenges and strengths experienced by individuals on the autism spectrum. What stood out the most was Samantha’s emphasis on inclusivity and the importance of breaking down stigmas surrounding autism. Samantha’s dedication to this cause is truly commendable, and I would highly recommend her talks to anyone looking to expand their understanding of autism. Samantha’s discussion on the unique impact autism can have on women—particularly when it goes undiagnosed until later in life—was deeply thought-provoking. She skilfully illuminated how societal expectations and gender norms often mask autistic traits in women, leading to late diagnoses and a lifetime of misunderstood experiences. Samatha’s talk would have no doubt resonated with members of the event as she highlighted the unique challenges that autism can present for women, and the relief and empowerment that often comes with a late diagnosis.”
“Sammi led them through her life, a carefully constructed narrative interwoven with personal anecdotes and factual information. She recounted the relief and validation she felt receiving her diagnosis. Finally, there was a framework, a reason for her lifelong struggle to navigate the neurotypical world.”
“Sammi delivered a compelling and heartfelt talk about her experience with neurodiversity to an audience of 100 people at Neurodiversity Pride. Her presentation was engaging, well-structured, and deeply personal, making it easy for the audience to connect with her journey. She balanced vulnerability with confidence, sharing both struggles and triumphs in a way that was informative and impactful. Her ability to articulate the challenges of a late diagnosis while also highlighting the importance of self-acceptance and understanding resonated strongly with listeners. The audience remained attentive throughout, and Sammi’s authenticity left a lasting impression, fostering empathy and awareness about the complexities of not only an autism diagnosis, but also how this affects other relatable struggles such as having a career, a family, and going through menopause.”
“Numerous times have I had the pleasure of seeing Samantha perform her poetry. Her work is not only demonstrative of her skill as a poet and creative, but also an inspiring display of how neurodivergency is a superpower. Her thought provoking and eloquent words lend themselves wonderfully to the ear and provide insight into Samantha’s creative passion and ability to inspire.”
The Mental Health Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for emotional wellbeing experts since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all demographics receive tailored, impactful mental health guidance.
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