An Amersham volunteer group will run a work and support programme for autistic people after shock figures reveal low number of autistic people in work.
Government funding for Neurodiverse Self Advocacy (NDSA) group came after ONS figures show only 22 per cent of people with autism are in work.
Following her own autism diagnosis, Marie Van Herteryck co-founded NDSA in 2019 and told about the obstacles autistic people face all too often:
“I speak to autistic people who have difficulty in finding work but also in retaining employment.
“Part of the problem is that outdated attitudes about autism still persist and we need to change that.
However, with the right adjustments to job interviews and at the workplace people with autism can thrive, Ms Van Herteryck said.
“We might approach our work and social interactions differently, but we are capable.
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Thanks to the grant, the group’s solution, The Tool Up programme, will give one-to-one mentoring to autistic people aged 16 and over in Bucks.
Mentoring will be tailored to each individually and includes a session with a career advisor.
The next sessions will be held on 15 and 22 February and more information can be found at www.ndsa.uk.
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