We are immensely grateful to our funder, Martin Hellawell from the Bloomfield Trust, whose generous contributions and personal ambition were instrumental in our success. His vision was the brainchild of the programme, and he fully engaged throughout, providing not only financial support but also invaluable time and guidance. Martin’s dedication and passion were evident in every aspect of the programme. He attended numerous meetings, offered strategic insights, and consistently encouraged our team. His unwavering commitment and belief in the potential of autistic individuals were the driving force behind our achievements. Martin’s support extended far beyond financial contributions; he became a true partner and champion of our cause, making a lasting impact on the lives of many. We cannot thank him enough for his extraordinary generosity and leadership.

Martin was not our only champion; We also received unwavering support and funding from Helms Brisco via their charity arm, HBCares, which donated £15k per year and hosted numerous events to promote our work and celebrate our successes. We were also championed by Marvel FMCG, who have made us their charity partner and have so far donated approximately £18k to us. We also received support from Prospero World, who donated a total of £30k since 2021, as well as a £5k contribution from Access Group to create digital content for social media and training. We have been very fortunate to have so many supporters and champions and cannot thank them all enough for their generosity, kindness and support.

• Placed 83 people within paid work positions across 53 businesses.
• Engaged and trained over 5000 individuals (employers) through events and training across industries which generated paid roles for the people we support.
• Had 1:1 engagement with over 350 employers with 140 of those becoming ongoing partnerships where we had regular contact.
• Worked across approximately 60 sectors.
• Delivered in excess of 200 preparatory training sessions to employers.
• Opened up just over 130 potential job opportunities, many from cold leads.
• Registered over 600 learners to IBM SkillsBuild on our dedicated landing page on the platform.
• Delivered 32 Finding Employment and Pre-Employment webinars to just under 700 attendees.
• Created a database of over 1000 job seeking candidates.
• Delivered over 750 job coaching sessions.
• Delivered 1:1 work readiness related sessions to over 150 autistic people.
• Have 3,790 users on our Finding Employment Module which was distributed to over 620 job centres across the UK.
• Supported 15 individuals through our Benevolent Fund and generated £3,750.
• Reached 600 delegates at our Autism at Work Summit.
• Our Spectrum Live episodes reached 25,000 views.

We cultivated robust relationships with numerous employers, resulting in a steady pipeline of opportunities. Notable repeat employers included IBM, HMRC, and Cube Lynx.

To further support job seekers and showcase our programme, we launched ‘Webinar Wednesdays’. These weekly or bi weekly webinars focused on various topics, such as creating an autism profile as an autistic candidate, CV writing, interview techniques and job searching. It also prepared people for entering the world of work. We delivered 32 webinars, reaching just under 700 attendees.

Our most fruitful partnership was with IBM through their IBM SkillsBuild programme. This initiative trained adult learners seeking entry-level employment in the tech field. On the IBM SkillsBuild platform, we had a dedicated landing page, learning plans, and logo. Thirteen IBM candidates completed a 16-week IT Support Professional bootcamp and gained certification, with four more set to complete the qualification soon. This partnership not only benefited job seekers but also enhanced employers’ understanding and awareness of autistic candidates, positively transforming the employment landscape. We now have registered over 600 learners to our dedicated landing page on the platform. We believe this will support individuals to secure employment.

Our inaugural Autism at Work Summit in 2020 was a tremendous success, attracting 352 delegates, including 52 autistic job seekers seeking new opportunities or changes in their current roles. Alongside these delegates, 40 staff members and speakers participated in the Summit. Additionally, we shared the Summit content ‘on demand’ with 220 autistic job seekers who could not attend, reaching a total of 610 delegates.

The Summit was originally due to be held at the illustrious BFI, but due to Covid, was delivered on the Pheedloop platform, enabling delegates to watch pre-recorded videos and livestreamed sessions. Pheedloop facilitated group chats, 1:1 networking opportunities, video calls, and a virtual exhibition hall with 20 stands, attracting 1696 visits. Leading employers from various industries participated, providing insights on recruiting autistic talent and creating autism-friendly workplaces. Delegates heard first hand about the unique issues affecting autistic people and inspiring initiatives aimed at increasing employment opportunities for them.

Launched alongside the Autism at Work programme, this innovative resource aims to provide essential guidance and support to autistic individuals navigating the employment landscape.

The module, which offers practical advice on finding and securing employment, has already attracted an impressive 3,790 users. This remarkable uptake highlights the significant demand for tailored employment resources within the autistic community and underscores the value of our efforts in creating accessible, impactful tools. 

Feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing how the module has empowered them with the confidence and skills needed to pursue their career aspirations. By providing this resource and using it to inform our own sessions, we have not only equipped autistic job seekers with valuable knowledge but also fostered a greater sense of independence and self-assurance.

The team worked closely with the DWP to make sure it was rolled out across 620 job centres across the country and supported them to create their very own ‘Autism Toolkit’. It was also shared with schools, colleges, universities and employment support services across the country.

The success of our e-learning module and the roll out across job centres is a testament to our commitment to supporting autistic individuals

One of the standout successes of our Autism at Work initiative was the Spectrum Live episodes focused on employment. These episodes featured interviews with autistic individuals who were either currently employed or seeking employment, offering invaluable insights into their experiences. The series resonated deeply with our audience, garnering an impressive 24,000 views.

The feedback from viewers was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the power and importance of sharing real-life experiences. Many expressed that it was enlightening and inspiring to hear directly from autistic people about their challenges, triumphs, and the unique perspectives they bring to the workplace.

Positive Discrimination: Some employers and the DWP raised concerns that ring-fencing jobs for autistic individuals could be seen as positive discrimination. This has deterred some organisations from engaging with the programme, preferring to partner with multiple charities, which has impacted our ability to place candidates.

Sourcing Roles: Finding roles nationally proved challenging, often requiring months to build relationships from scratch. The average process took 25 hours of training, consultancy, and candidate placement, followed by job coaching and ongoing support.

Work Readiness of Candidates: Webinars for job seekers were widely attended, with nearly 700 participants. These sessions highlighted that many autistic individuals do not feel work-ready and need extensive support to success in obtaining and retaining employment. 

As we conclude the Autism at Work programme, we reflect on the remarkable journey we have undertaken together. The achievements we have accomplished are a testament to the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared vision. The programme has not only made a tangible difference in the lives of many autistic individuals but has also paved the way for more inclusive workplaces across various industries.

We have seen first-hand the transformative impact of providing tailored support and creating opportunities for autistic job seekers. The success stories and feedback from both candidates and employers underscore the importance of our work and the lasting legacy of this programme. Our efforts have demonstrated that when given the right support and understanding, autistic individuals can thrive and excel in their careers, bringing unique strengths and perspectives to the workforce.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of this journey; our funders, supporters, employers, team members, and, most importantly, the autistic individuals who trusted us to be part of their employment journey. The lessons learned and the relationships forged will continue to inspire and guide future efforts in promoting autism inclusion in the workplace.

Thank you for being part of the Autism at Work programme. Together, we have made a significant impact, and we look forward to seeing the continued progress and success of the individuals and organisations we have had the privilege to support.