#188: Dyslexia, Moving Between Schools and Discovering Overlooked Strengths with Jack Gillanders

In this episode of the Dyslexia Explored Podcast, hosts Darius Namdaran and Jo Lee speak with Jack Gillanders, recruitment business owner and co-founder of the LEVEL Foundation, about turning a difficult school experience into practical support for other families. Diagnosed with dyslexia at eight, Jack describes the relief of understanding his struggles, followed by repeated school moves, loneliness and using humour to hide his difficulties in the classroom. He reflects on his parents’ determination, the patient tutor he still hopes to thank, and the employers who recognised strengths that school had overlooked. The conversation explores why calling dyslexia a superpower can miss its real challenges, and how finding his place in recruitment helped Jack build a business and give back. Jack introduces the foundation he created with his mum, explaining how school grants and a toolkit of screening, assistive technology, teacher training and family support help turn funding into practical action. They discuss why money alone is not enough, the importance of involving parents, and helping children discover what they are good at before they lose confidence in themselves.

This podcast is sponsored by ivvi. Visual Notes for Visual Thinkers.Get ivvi notes now: ⁠https://www.ivvi.app/⁠

Links:

• The LEVEL Foundation Website: ⁠https://www.levelfoundation.co.uk/⁠
• Contact Carol: ⁠carol@levelfoundation.co.uk⁠
• The LEVEL Foundation Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/level_foundation/⁠
• The LEVEL Foundation LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-level-foundation/⁠
• CMC Partners — About Jack and the Team: ⁠https://cmc-partners.com/about-us⁠
• ivvi: ⁠https://www.ivvi.app/⁠
• What is Dyslexia — British Dyslexia Association: ⁠https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia⁠
• How to Mindmap: ⁠https://www.bulletmapacademy.com/mindmap-beginners⁠
• AT Superstore: ⁠https://atsuperstore.com/⁠
• Talamo: ⁠https://www.talamo.co.uk/⁠
• I Can & I Am — Confidence-Building Bus Workshops: ⁠https://icanandiam.com/how-we-help/the-bus/⁠
• Inclusive Mainstream Fund — Guidance for School Leaders in England: ⁠https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-mainstream-fund-support-for-school-leaders⁠
• Episode 167 — AT Superstore with Matt Dean: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/167-the-at-superstore-the-significance-of/id1387645599?i=1000740445629⁠
• Episode 175 — Dyslexia Screening with Jamie Wace: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/175-dyslexia-technology-and-screening-building-a/id1387645599?i=1000756257565⁠
• Episode 168 — Dyslexia, Text Readers and Empowerment with Jay Giddens: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/168-dyslexia-text-readers-and-empowerment-with-jay-giddens/id1387645599?i=1000743978327⁠

Interested in being a guest? Email us at ⁠jo@ivvi.app⁠.