Minister sees impact of North East Autism Society helping autistic people into work
For many autistic individuals, finding meaningful work can be a challenge. But the North East Autism Society (NEAS) is paving the way for a future where employment opportunities are accessible and sustainable.
The Society, which is headquartered on the Dum Industrial Estate, has told a Government minister longer-term funding is needed for employment initiatives to help autistic people into work.
John Phillipson, Chief Executive, made the plea when Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, visited an innovative training project run by the charity.
Sir Stephen has praised the charity’s “very impressive” £4.2m plans to develop a working farm and visitor centre, complete with a café, shop, retail units and apple mill, as a training centre and employment hub for autistic and neurodivergent people.
During a tour of New Warlands Farm, near Burnhope, the minister talked to staff and autistic people, saw a wood workshop in action, and sampled the “delicious” apple juice produced from hundreds of trees on the site.
Mr Phillipson, and Derek Groves, Employment Services Manager for NEAS, explained to Sir Stephen how the charity supports around 350 people a year towards work through its ground-breaking Employment Futures service. Around a third find sustained employment, while others go into further education and training.
However, the charity is hampered by short-term Government funding for employment initiatives, often only lasting up to a year, which doesn’t allow them to be fully effective.
Mr Phillipson said: “We asked the minister to consider a longer-term, more holistic approach to employment initiatives, along with longer courses, because we know that would enable us to help more people into work and off benefits.”
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