A pilot programme has been designed for unemployed neurodiverse people to help support them into work.
The programme, led by All Together Cumbria – an innovative social enterprise owned by Morgan Sindall Group – brings together several local organisations to help share information, run workshops and practical activities, and provide workplace experience to support programme learning.
The programme includes:
- Information sharing and group discussions about what challenges to expect in the workplace, including personal coping mechanisms and overcoming any concerns you may have.
- Practical activities to help people with a neurodiverse condition gain access into the workplace and sustain your employment experience, including interview skills and working in teams to learn about integrating with others to solve problems and complete tasks.
- Accommodating neurodiversity workshops – bringing together candidates on the programme and staff from employers who have signed up to support the work experience element of the programme. This will be an opportunity for employers to increase their knowledge and understanding of what neurodiversity is.
- Candidate work placement and feedback – employers and participants will put their learning into practice through organised work placements.
Nicola Gorrill, social impact manager at All Together Cumbria, said: “Workforce inclusion is a key focus area for us at All Together Cumbria and is embedded across our skills and employability plan.
“It is really important that we develop these programmes with our partners to ensure everyone has the chance to participate in work and employment, especially those from under-represented groups like our neurodiverse community.
“As an example, only 21% of autistic adults are in employment compared to 75% of the neurotypical community.
“With organisations across the board struggling to recruit to fill their vacancies, it’s imperative that we look at diversifying our workforce and one way to do that is not only to support our neurodiverse community with the right skills in getting closer to the work front, but also educate and upskill businesses in what it means to develop a more diverse workforce and aid those with additional needs in the work place.
“We would welcome any organisations who are interested to get in touch by emailing me at [email protected].”
