The Loop: Autumn Edition

Autumn edition 2021 www.ne-as.org.uk

OUR TAKE ON THE NEW NATIONAL AUTISM STRATEGY HOW WE’RE TACKLING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT SHORT BREAKS STAFF GRANT MUM’S WEDDING Plus…

From the CEO’s desk Save the Dates and more.

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Notes from our CEO

Contents

“There are exciting developments on the horizon”

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Save the Date…

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The national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults

We’ve put together a list of dates that we’re sure you won’t want to miss.

Read our take on the Government’s recent five-year national autism strategy.

John Phillipson Chief Executive Officer

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Look how far Employment Futures has come

From humble beginnings as a two-man team in 2016, our Employment Futures provision has gone from strength to strength.

“It feels like the world has moved on since my last update, now that coronavirus restrictions have eased across the country. But, while life may look normal again for many of us outside of work, I wanted to take the time to thank our amazing staff for continuing to take precautions and prioritising the health and wellbeing of our children, young people and adults.

“The hard work and dedication of everyone across the organisation has been unwavering and I sincerely hope that next summer we will all be able to come together and celebrate the commendable way the Society has navigated this difficult period by reinstating our annual Star Awards – I know the event has been hugely missed.

“We are now entering a really exciting phase as a charity and there are lots of exciting developments on the horizon as demand for our services continues to increase, including the ongoing development of Kiora Hall in Stockton. Contractors are now on site and we are hopeful that we’ll be able to welcome the first pupils in January 2022.

“As we prepare to open our fourth school in the region, the government has also vowed to improve access to education for autistic people. The pledge is one of six outlined in the five-year national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults which was published in July.

“While I welcome their vow to improve inclusivity and accessibility for autistic people, I feel the government could have gone further in its commitment. You can find out more about the strategy and read my full response on page 7.

“It also gives me great pleasure to share the news with you all that our patron, world-renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe, will be returning to his hometown of Middlesbrough to officially open the Mackenzie Thorpe Centre on October 22nd.

“The school opened its doors in September 2020, but the grand opening had to be delayed due to the pandemic.

As we make our way out of the crisis though, we felt now was the perfect time to celebrate the achievements of the school’s staff and pupils over the past 12 months with an intimate event.

“Lastly, I would like to formally welcome our newest trustee, Lisa Waller, into our ranks. With more than 30 years’ experience in management positions, I feel confident that Lisa will bring a wealth of knowledge, ideas and enthusiasm to the table as we continue to grow as an organisation.

10 How we’re tackling youth unemployment We’ve launched a brand-new youth employment service, thanks to funding from Youth Futures Foundation.

12 Short breaks staff grant Mum’s wedding wish

When Mandy Williams-Bland pictured her wedding day, she always dreamed of having her son Ryan by her side.

14 Spotlight on… our Trustee, Lisa Waller Meet the people who govern our organisation.

15 Employee of the Quarter

Discover who we’re crowning our Employee of the Quarter.

16 Our highlights of the quarter

From bike rides to new services for families.

Read our highlights…

“As Head of Business and Development at Derwentside College, Lisa worked with NEAS to establish specialist training courses in social care and education, and I know she’s excited about getting out into the services and meeting as many of our staff and the individuals who access our services as soon as it’s safe for her to do so.”

John P hillipson

North East Autism Society Unit 15 Lumley Court Drum Industrial Estate Chester-le-Street DH2 1AN 0191 410 9974 info@ne-as.org.uk www.ne-as.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1028260 Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2859620

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Save the Dates

Tee off

for the North East Autism Society!

7th April 2022 Join us as we hit the fairways at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club.

We’ve got a busy few months ahead of us… From challenge events to ways to get involved without leaving your sofa! Here’s a round-up of the exciting events taking place and the information you need on how to join Team NEAS:

Junior Great North Run

NEAS 40th Anniversary Events

11th September

A must-do for all budding runners. Give your children the chance to have their very own finish line moment while raising money for a great cause.

Great North Run 12th September

We have a team of runners ready to take on the world’s favourite half-marathon! Show your support by donating at justgiving.com/NE-AS. Up for the challenge? Contact the fundraising team to join the waiting list for GNR 2022.

Step 40

Acceptance

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Autism

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Autism Awareness Week

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Awarene

Acceptance

Autism Awareness Week

Enter a team of four players to compete in an 18-hole round of golf, with prizes awarded to the top scorers on the day.

Challenge Events 2021 Yorkshire 3 Peaks Join the global adventure challenge and conquer the highest 3 peaks of the Yorkshire Dales. You will be supported every step of the way on this demanding yet rewarding UK-based challenge, which includes over 1,700m of ascent.

Head to: ne-as.org.uk/golfday for more information team

24 Peaks

Contact the fundraising team: Fundraising@ne-as.org.uk (0191 410 9974)

This fast-paced and formidable challenge will see participants summit 24 incredible peaks in the Lake District, all over 2,400ft within a target trekking time of just 24 hours.

Step 40 is a step-based challenge where you will walk your chosen number of steps within 40 days of starting your challenge. Anyone can take part. Whether you’re new to exercise or an experienced walker, you can take part indoors, in the garden or at the park and choose a step target that is right for you.

40 Smiles We want to see just how big and cheesy your smile can be! To take part in this challenge, you just need to grab your phone, take a huge smiling selfie and make a donation – you don’t even need to leave your couch.

We’re aiming for 40 people to send us their spectacular smiling selfies to help celebrate our 40th anniversary.

Find out more online at: ne-as.org.uk/events

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The national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults

The government unveiled its five-year national strategy for autistic children, young people and adults in July, which aims to improve the lives of autistic people and their families and carers in England.

Almost £75 million will be spent in the first 12-months, which represents the Government’s biggest financial investment in the autistic community to date.

From reducing waiting times for diagnosis to heightening public understanding of autism – here’s what the Government has vowed to do:

Significantly improve public understanding and acceptance of autism and encourage businesses, parts of the public sector and transport system to become autism-inclusive

Improve access to education for autistic children and young people and improve the support they receive in their transitions into adulthood

Underfunded and underwhelming: Our CEO’s response Let me start by saying that any strategy that aims to improve inclusivity and accessibility for autistic people is welcome and should always be seen as a positive step.

It’s also encouraging to see children and young people included in the strategy for the first time.

However if I were to simply acknowledge the document without questioning its shortcomings, I’d be doing the incredible children, young people and adults the North East Autism Society supports a disservice.

Close the employment gap for autistic people, ensuring that more people who are able and want to work can do so

Ensure the justice system – from prisons to courts – becomes more autisminclusive and improve staff’s understanding of autism within the police and wider criminal and youth justice system 6

Tackle health and care inequalities autistic people face, with the aim of improving health outcomes and reducing the gap in life expectancy

Reduce the number of autistic people, or those with a learning disability, being admitted into inpatient mental health services

You can read the strategy in full here.

While I commend the government for highlighting some of the key challenges facing autistic people, their families and carers, I fear the strategy lacks the necessary clout – particularly when it comes to funding – to trigger any real change.

Without a larger cash injection, I worry that this strategy will become something of a tick-box exercise rather than an impactful document which should represent hope and acceptance for thousands of autistic people living in England – as well as those with other examples of neurodiversity or who are undiagnosed.

At the outset, the strategy states the government will “help people recognise the challenges that autistic people might face in their daily lives” - but I want to know specifically what action will be taken, who will benefit and, more importantly, why isn’t the driving force of the strategy to actually reduce or remove those challenges?

At NEAS we strive daily to address many of these challenges in our schools and residential homes, through our free employment and family support services and with our annual Autism Acceptance campaign, and we’d have welcomed the opportunity to provide some input on this new strategy and its delivery.

Which leads me to my final point. Above all else, what is missing from this strategy is collaboration - crucially with autistic and neurodivergent people, but also with charities and service providers who are already doing important work to address many of these challenges on the ground.

I’d like to think that, as a charity, NEAS always strives to learn from those with real, lived experience and we are fortunate to be able to rely on our Autism & Neurodiversity Think Tank to advise on everything from language and policy, to training and service delivery.

While 2,700 autistic people responded to the government’s call for evidence and there has been consultation with the APPGA, I’d question whether that constitutes real co-production and empowerment. And until the autistic community’s voice is truly heard, across all demographics, I fear any such strategy will be met with scepticism.

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Look how far Employment Futures has come From humble beginnings as a two-man team in 2016, our Employment Futures provision has gone from strength to strength over the past five years and has provided crucial support to those who face the biggest barriers to employment.

Employment Futures’ mission is to help remove barriers to meaningful and sustained employment for autistic and/or neurodivergent adults and those with a learning disability.

Under the leadership of Derek Groves, the team has helped hundreds of people across the North-east by offering personalised support and advice around employment, as well as working with employers to promote inclusivity and highlight the benefits of a diverse workforce.

Due to increasing demand for Employment Futures’ services, the department quickly expanded and now boasts a dedicated team of 17 staff, as well as having moved into bigger offices at Emsworth in Sunderland.

Since its inception, the service has helped more than 800 people across the North-east to access work placements, training, education and full-time employment via a range of projects, including Moving On Tyne and Wear, the Personal Mentor Programme and the Unlock Your Potential programme.

And Employment Futures is showing no sign of slowing down! With seven projects currently being delivered across the region, Derek says his team expect to help a further 450 participants to gain skills, experience and, hopefully, employment by the end of this financial year.

“In the first year that Employment Futures launched we helped around 40 participants,” Derek said.

“We’re now in our fifth year and that number has grown to more than 400 per year, but we still celebrate every single person who secures a job as a big win.”

Mark Champion, 50, from Middlesbrough: “The support I received was great and the team really took the time to find out more about me and what interests me. It was much more than just generic advice. My future is definitely brighter now.”

Jake Thomson, 25, from Hartlepool: “I received a lot of support through the Personal Mentor Programme (PMP) and learned a lot about myself through being part of it. My mentor Mary also went above and beyond in every aspect of what she was teaching and helping me with.”

Charlotte Settle, 27, Marske-by-the-sea : “I received the support I needed and so much more. I’m really happy and feel I can keep moving forward and find the right job, even though I have learning difficulties.”

About DiversityNE One of Employment Future’s biggest wins of the past 12 months has been securing more than £750,000 in funding to deliver the DiversityNE programme, which launched in July.

DiversityNE’s mission is to grow the power and potential of a neurodiverse workforce by working closely with individuals and employers across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland to reduce the disability gap and help people find fulfilling, long-term employment.

The project - which is being part-funded by the European Social Fund and delivered in partnership with Azure Charitable Enterprises - will benefit those who face the biggest barriers to employment, whether that’s due to being autistic, learning disabilities

or difficulties, or because of other examples of neurodiversity.

“DiversityNE marks the first time we have delivered a project as the prime grant holder, rather than a subcontractor,” Derek said. “It’s really exciting and the programme will allow us to make a real difference to so many people’s lives.”

To find out more about Employment Futures visit www.ne-as.org.uk/employment-futures-home.

Or call Employment Services Manager Derek Groves on 0191 4109974.

www.diversityne.org.uk 8

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Funded by

How we’re tackling youth unemployment The North East Autism Society has welcomed funding from the Youth Futures Foundation, describing it as “a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting difference” to young people in Tyne & Wear.

The money will be used by our Employment Futures department, which will work closely with Northeast employers who are seeking to improve their inclusivity, by giving opportunities to autistic and neurodivergent young people aged 18 to 19.

Employment Futures manager, Derek Groves, said:

“This will enable us to be even more proactive in our work with young people, and helping them to enter the world of work.”

Derek said the younger generation had been hit hardest by unemployment resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Unemployment amongst under-25s now accounts for three-fifths of the fall in employment, with an even bigger impact felt by those with special educational needs.

He explained that the Youth Futures Foundation grant would fund a two-year programme for NEAS to help prevent young people becoming NEET – “Not in Education, Employment, or Training”.

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“It gives us a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of autistic and neurodiverse young people in the NorthEast,” he added.

With offices in Sunderland and North Shields, the programme will offer free employment support in the form of twice-weekly workshops, as well as supporting employers to make reasonable adjustments and embrace the potential of a neurodiverse workforce.

Youth Futures Foundation was established in 2019 to find, fund, support and evaluate programmes which help young people to move into meaningful work.

Anna Smee, CEO, Youth Futures Foundation said: “We are delighted to support the North East Autism Society in their work on youth unemployment.

Over a six-month period, each participant will also complete two practical work placements with prominent local employers, with the likes of Clearly Drinks, Stagecoach, Sage Software and Brewlab already on board.

“Youth Futures is committed to a society where all young people have equitable access to good quality jobs, by identifying ‘what works’, investing in good practice and initiating new ways of working – to ignite systems change. This partnership will support our ambitions and help to deliver our vision.”

NEAS recently announced plans to create around 250 jobs over the next 18 months as demand for its services grows. The charity currently employs 860 people but needs to recruit for a range of roles, particularly carers and teaching assistants.

YESNE workshops are set to commence on Monday, 4th October, with capacity for 46 participants. Anyone wishing to register their interest should email info@yesne.org.uk.

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Short Breaks staff grant mum’s wedding wish When Mandy Williams-Bland pictured her wedding day, she always dreamed of having her son Ryan by her side.

Short Breaks roles at

Due to the 22-year-old’s complex heath needs, the mumof-two didn’t think it would be possible.

However, thanks to the dedicated staff at the North East Autism Society’s Adult Short Breaks provision, Ryan, 22, was able to take part in his mum’s special day.

Join us for

Mandy had initially signed Ryan up for respite at Short Breaks - based at New Warlands Farm in Edmondsley - over the weekend of her wedding to John, as she thought the day might be too distressing for him.

Career Progression Training Innovative Practices

But staff at the lodges, which are set in the idyllic Durham countryside, assured Mandy they would be more than happy to accompany Ryan to the wedding and support him so that he didn’t have to miss out on the happy occasion, which took place on Sunday 6th June at Lumley Castle.

“It was so lovely to have Ryan with us and for him to be included in the photographs,” Mandy says. “It made the whole day for me – he is my life.”

She adds: “I was really disappointed that Ryan wouldn’t be able to be with us, but I spoke to Steph and Sally-Beth and they immediately said they’d be able to bring him.

“It made me so happy to have Ryan with us and he loved the day, he was just so happy.”

Attending the wedding isn’t the only positive impact that Short Breaks has had on Mandy and Ryan’s lives though.

The 45-year-old, from Ferryhill in County Durham, says the service has had a noticeable impact on Ryan’s wellbeing since he was started attending in September 2020.

“He’s so much happier now, he is back to the Ryan we knew before lockdown,” Mandy explains.

“In the past I have cried leaving him for respite, but I just don’t get that feeling anymore. I feel much more comfortable and you can just see how happy Ryan is.”

Having previously accessed respite care through other local providers, Mandy says she hopes her son will be able to continue visiting NEAS’s provision at the farm as he loves spending time with the animals and using the activity park on site.

“Ryan is non-verbal and the staff have just adapted to the way that he communicates,” Mandy says.

“It really is a fantastic place and they do so much with him – he’s been to see the cows and the chickens at the farm, and he can use the activity park too. It’s definitely the best service of this kind that he has been to. I really want him to stay there long-term.”

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Find out more about our New Warlands Farm Short Breaks at ne-as.org.uk/adult-short-breaks

Million dollar smiles

Due to increased demand for our services, we have a number of exciting opportunities for Support Workers to join our Adult Short Breaks team, working in the idyllic setting of New Warlands Farm, in County Durham.

If you’re looking for a rewarding role and think you could make a positive difference to the lives of autistic adults, we want to hear from you!

www.ne-as.org.uk/careers recruitment@ne-as.org.uk

0191 410 9974 13

Spotlight on...

Lisa Waller

Well done Laura!

“I really hope I can add some value to a brilliant charity” With more than 30 years’ experience working in management positions across a wide range of sectors, newly-appointed trustee Lisa Waller couldn’t be more excited to be joining the North East Autism Society during such a busy period of expansion and growth.

Lisa, who is Head of Business Development at Derwentside College, first became involved with the Society earlier this year, after the organisations teamed up to establish specialist training academies offering courses in social care and education.

Lisa was then approached by our CEO John Phillipson to join the Society’s Board of Trustees after three longstanding members made the decision to step down.

“I feel very honoured to have been asked to join the Board of Trustees,” Lisa says. “I was quite taken aback to be asked to join such an incredible – and growing – charity.”

Lisa explains its NEAS’ potential for growth that excites her most, with a new school set to open in Stockton early next year and several other major projects in the pipeline.

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However Lisa admits that she has a lot to learn when it comes to autism and neurodiversity and she is looking forward to learning from her fellow trustees, several of whom have children who access our services.

Employee of the Quarter

“It’s a new area for me but I really want to learn,” she says. “One thing I was really surprised by though is how much demand there is across the North-east for services like those provided by NEAS.

For most people, being able to say they’d completed one ultra-marathon would be enough, but teacher Laura Tumilty pulled on her trainers once again in a bid to raise funds for NEAS.

“I didn’t realise there were so many people waiting to access these services, so it’s really inspiring to know that NEAS is reacting to that when it comes to its plans for expansion.”

With extensive experience in the fields of employment and recruitment, Lisa is particularly excited to get involved with the work of our Employment Futures department.

She says: “I am really excited about the projects being delivered by Employment Futures, and I can’t wait to work with Derek and his team. I hope with my experience in recruitment and training, as well as having spent a large chunk of my career working with unemployed people, that I can really add some value.”

“When I started working with NEAS, I was absolutely blown away by the scale of the Society and the work it delivers across the North-east,” she says.

Lisa adds: “I have already met the other trustees and it’s a real privilege to be part of such a diverse group. We all have different skills and life experiences to offer and hopefully I can bring some new skills and even a fresh outlook to the table.”

“I was lucky enough to visit New Warlands Farm recently and I was extremely impressed by not only the facilities, but the staff – you could see how dedicated they are to the individuals they support, and that is why I was so keen to get involved.”

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Lisa has not yet been able to visit as many services as she’d have hoped, but says she is excited to meet as many of staff, as well as our children, young people and adults, as she can in the coming months.

When we heard Laura would be taking on another gruelling 100-kilometer race, we knew we had to crown her our Employee of the Quarter!

Laura, who teaches IT, English and horticulture at Thornhill Park School, in Sunderland, is raising funds to help purchase new play equipment for the school.

Since the event, Laura has fully recovered and we have no doubt in our mind that she’ll already planning her next challenge!

Laura set herself a target of raising £300 and we’re pleased to announce she smashed her target raising a total of £540.

As the Society is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Laura is encouraging her Society colleagues to follow her lead and take part in future fundraising events – whether it’s an ultra-marathon, a sponsored sky dive or even a bake sale.

Laura says: “I have worked for NEAS for five years now and I see how our schools and other services help children, young people and adults with a range of Neurodiversity needs every day.

“Just before the first lockdown in 2020, Thornhill Park School moved to a new site and we want to raise money for a new play equipment for the garden which will meet the sensory needs of our learners.”

Laura was hoping to complete the challenge in just 24 hours. But sadly, after an amazing 68k (44 miles) conquered, Laura was pulled from the race on medical grounds.

If you would like to take part in, or organise, a fundraising event - whether it’s a bake sale, sky dive or sponsored walk - in support of NEAS, please email: Jon.Appleton@ne-as.org.uk.

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Highlights of the Quarter

Bringing autism acceptance to LIFE

If you’d like to show your support for the team, you can still donate by clicking here. Or if you’d like to organise an event of your own, email Fundraising Officer Jon Appleton at jon. appleton@ne-as.org.uk.

New services for families Our Family Development team have been very excited as we saw the return of our toddler groups! With restrictions easing the team were able to meet face-to-face with families across the region to offer their lifeline support.

Here’s our highlights of the quarter…

MP Uses House of Commons to highlight work of NEAS

In partnership with Great North Children’s Hospital, our Family Development team launched a new Autism Support Hub in Newcastle with sessions running throughout August.

We’re hopeful we can run more hubs across the North-east in the future.

For more information about our family services head to: ne-as.org.uk/family-resources

During Parliamentary questions, Redcar MP Jacob Young spoke about his recent visit to The Mackenzie Thorpe Centre, which was recently opened by NEAS at South Bank, Middlesbrough.

Mr Young, along with Darlington MP Peter Gibson, met NEAS chief executive, John Phillipson, as well as staff supporting 16 young people at the school. Since the MPs’ visit, NEAS has announced that another specialist school is to be opened on Teesside as part of the charity’s major expansion plans. The latest school will be opened soon at Kiora Hall, at Norton, Stockton.

The initial project consisted of creating a group of young autistic people who would help shape and develop Life into a better place for autistic people and their families. The group named E=mc2 went on to promote not only physical changes to the centre but worked to achieve positive societal shift in values and attitudes.

Cyclists raise thousands for vital front-line services A team of 16 riders braved the elements as they took part in our third annual cycling event - the Tyne Confluence Sportive - in support of the North East Autism Society.

The group of riders, made up of NEAS staff and supporters, kicked off the two-day fundraising challenge in the village of Bardon Mill on Saturday, August 21st.

The 160-mile route was the most difficult yet, with the group taking in local sights such as the highest market town in England and Hadrian’s Wall, before travelling to Kielder Water near the Scottish Borders, and finishing up in Tynemouth on Sunday evening.

A huge thanks also goes out to our event sponsors Gama Systems, Slip Tip, Activa, Premier Modular, Cleardata, PWA, Cadman Associates, Almasty and Cyclefix, for making the challenge possible.

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The North East Autism Society has worked with Life Science Centre (Life), in Newcastle, for over three years. Our unique partnership began as an opportunity to explore how Life can be more inclusive and accessible for the autistic community.

To achieve this, it was vital that we worked with and listened to the experiences and suggestions of autistic young people.

Bradley Black recognised at local awards ceremony Bradley was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ in the Personal Achievement (14-20) category at the Sunderland Young Achievers’ Awards 2021.

Bradley was nominated for how resilient he has been during the coronavirus pandemic.

The group provides not only an opportunity to increase knowledge and skills in relation to science, but they also offer the chance to reduce social isolation, increase confidence and connect with other autistic young people.

Our Family Development Manager, Kerrie Highcock, said:

“Many autistic people feel their voices are not heard. What this partnership does well is listen to the voices of neurodiverse young people and do something with that information and make positive changes.”

“We have built firm foundations with Life. Their achievement in being awarded our Gold Autism Acceptance Award highlights the incredible journey we’ve been on. This partnership is more than just a tick box exercise. It’s about real people and their worlds and that’s what matters.”

We have spaces available for our new science group starting in October 2021.

For more information contact Kerrie.Highcock@ne-as.org.uk

What an amazing achievement, well done Bradley!

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Care roles at Join us for Career Progression Training Innovative Practices

Million dollar smiles

Working for the North East Autism Society is your first step towards a life-changing career.

Exciting new opportunities have arisen to join our care services across the North-east. While we value experience, it is not essential – all we ask is that you’re hard-working, willing to learn and want to make a difference to the lives of others.

www.ne-as.org.uk/careers recruitment@ne-as.org.uk 18

0191 410 9974