ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
About the Author
Charlotte R Faulconbridge is an autistic and chronically ill prize-winning poet, published author, musician, and TEDx performer. She is also an Ambassador for the mental health charity MIND.
In 2024, she was a finalist in the BBC Make a Difference Awards and in 2025 she was named one of the Big Issue's Top 100 Changemakers. Charlotte is also the winner of this year's Cheltenham Poetry Festival's Slam.
Charlotte's book, Too High to Function, tells the story of her life on the autistic spectrum, selling in over 20 countries, on every continent, and reached number one in the Amazon bestseller charts.
Her debut poetry collection, The Warring Twenties, themed around mental health,
received critical acclaim from award-winning screenplay writer and BAFTA fellow, Andrew Davies.
"Born into a family where the only requirement was to be happy, why was it that as soon as I stepped outside, the rest of the world didn't seem to want the same? It soon became clear that I was trying to survive in a society that just wasn't built for me. At the age of 15, I was regularly being excluded from school - no, not for bad behaviour but due to my disability."
After being diagnosed with a debilitating chronic illness in her early teens, Charlotte found peace within writing; processing her trauma and discovering strength and power in her pain has become the lifeblood of her work.
"In 2021, I decided to write Too High to Function - the book I wish I'd read when I was 14. Through this freeing and at times painful process myself, I've seen that vulnerability is my superpower. It has allowed me to break down the walls in my own life, and release others from the same imprisonment.
It is my weapon of self-construction, and I hope it becomes yours too."
Interviews
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Listen now
About Inclusive Creatives
Inclusive Creatives was founded in 2023 by Charlotte Faulconbridge. Having experienced the lack of opportunities for people in the disabled community to express themselves, she decided to create an online space aimed at shining a spotlight on the unacknowledged talent in this community, enabling their voices to be heard.
She firmly believes that people with disabilities have qualities that make them much more reliable employees. In her personal experience, the mindset of those with disabilities are proportionally more determined than those without. Her autism has also gifted her traits such as perfectionism, having impeccable attention to detail, and the motivation to drive her to succeed at all costs against adversity.
"Music is my therapy. I love taking the sirens of my pain and giving them a new voice. A voice that's softer, more forgiving; one the has the same quality to silence me, but in a beautiful, not ugly way."
- Too High to Function by Charlotte R Faulconbridge
She also realised that having access to inclusive provision to teach, develop, and inspire young people is difficult to find. Having struggled through the mainstream education system, school annihilated any confidence and passion she had for creativity as they were resisting to accommodate her needs. This negative experience led Charlotte to give up her love of music and writing, until she discovered alternative education that offered specialised SEND support.
She wishes to share these services with others, to inspire them to grow and reach their full potential, as without them she would not be where she is today.
Forthcoming Book Tour Events
1st June: Isle of Wight Festival
14th June: Book Festival, Hartland, North Devon
Tbc: Fringe Festival, Portsmouth
5th Aug: Voices from the Fountain, Walsall The Fountain
Tbc: Victorius Festival Poetry, Portsmouth
More events to be confirmed - watch this space!