Our Inclusivity Efforts
The FriendZone event, founded by Asia Diaz (www.asiadiaz.com), has been a cherished social event since 2014, offering a unique space where people can come together and build meaningful connections.
Now, Asia’s taking it a step further, collaborating with Charlotte Marian Pearson (www.charlottemarianpearson.com), neurodiversity advocate and founder of The MosaiQs, to ensure that The FriendZone becomes more inclusive for attendees with neurodivergence, social anxiety, and other unique challenges.
Reconnecting with A Childhood Friend to Make Events Accessible to All
Charlotte Pearson & Asia Diaz
An Exciting New Collaboration
Asia and Charlotte, who first met in secondary school in North London, reconnected recently after years of separate personal and professional growth in their respective fields. While Asia’s passion lies in event management, Charlotte’s focus has been advocating for neurodiversity, special educational needs and intersectionality. Their combined expertise will bring a new level of thoughtfulness to The FriendZone, making it a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of how they communicate or engage socially.
"I’ve worked really hard to make this event accessible for different personality types (extroverts, ambiverts & introverts), but as the community grew online, I realised I had missed something," Asia shared.
"Members of the community began reaching out about challenges related to neurodivergence and social anxiety, and I knew Charlotte was the right person to help me fill that gap.
Charlotte has collaborated with prominent brands such as Madame Tussaud’s, Kickers, Micro Scooter and LOL Surprise, advising them on inclusion and accessibility. She’s consulted with numerous organisations, including Barclays on accessible services and successfully campaigned for systemic changes with local authorities, alongside key decision-makers and politicians.
Additionally, as a public speaker and founder of a community platform for parent carers of SEND children, she’s been featured on ITV, BBC, and in numerous newspaper articles for her advocacy.”
Bringing Personal Experience and Advocacy Together
Charlotte attended The FriendZone when it first launched in 2014, long before her diagnosis of autism and ADHD in 2019. Reflecting on her experiences, she now sees how certain social spaces presented challenges for her, even when she couldn’t yet put her finger on why.
"Looking back, I can now see the barriers I faced at events like The FriendZone," Charlotte explained.
"It’s incredible to now work with Asia to make sure others with neurodivergence or social anxiety can feel fully included."
Creating a More Inclusive ‘FriendZone’
Together, Asia and Charlotte are introducing subtle but impactful changes to The FriendZone to support attendees with diverse needs and experiences. These changes are designed to be seamless, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the experience in a way that feels comfortable for them.
"I attended the first event as an observer and invited a few guests who face similar challenges to gain personal insights into the support they feel they need—because it's crucial that those of us with lived experience are included in these conversations and represent the diverse spectrum of needs," Charlotte explained. "Our goal is to make these adjustments blend effortlessly into the event. For those who need them, these changes will make a world of difference, while still allowing everyone to feel included and welcome.’
‘In preparation for these changes, I decided to try out some of my tips and strategies with the guests I invited to join me. It was amazing to witness the transformation that unfolded before my eyes. Those who initially appeared apprehensive and anxious gradually became more comfortable, with some even confidently socialising and enjoying themselves. One guest, who had been reserved at the start, blossomed into the life and soul of the gathering by the end of the evening. This reinforced the power of thoughtful adjustments in creating truly inclusive and enjoyable social environments.'‘
Some changes that Charlotte will implement for future events include a "What to Expect" Document, Clarifying Activity Names & Instructions, Enhanced "Mood & Personality Type" Stickers, and a Visual Guide for the Event.
Learn more about Charlotte’s work and MosaiQs at www.charlottemarianpearson.com
Download Our Free Accessibility Guide
Our guide is designed to help everyone feel informed and at ease, whether you’re new to the event, have specific access needs, or simply want to know what to expect.
