Hub and hope aids neurodivergent folk
A scheme that took to the gym and the road has helped neurodiverse people in Rochdale buck a national trend – and find employment.
Upturn set itself the aim of helping those on the margins in our borough to gain an education or a job. But with just 15% of people with conditions such as ADHD or autism being in employment, they certainly had their work cut out.
So their Local Change campaign opened-up a safe hub for the neurodiverse, worked with local organisations at the heart of the community, and sent a campervan named Hope out to disadvantaged areas.
And meeting people where they were at meant that 780 individuals across Rochdale and Oldham received support, with 273 securing employment.
The three-year programme also helped:
- 429 folks to enrol on education courses or training
- 273 to improve their mental health and,
- 719 to boost their self-confidence and resilience
“We certainly don’t set ourselves easy targets” said Maria Williams, co-founder of Upturn, who also organise free CV weekly clinics from the Riverside, “and that includes people living with neurodiversity who are wrongly refused opportunities.
Some of the people we engaged with are so disadvantaged they cannot afford the bus fare into town, are caring 24/7 for a sick relative, or have lost the confidence to even venture out of their front door.”
The decision to open-up safe spaces within the community for people with autism, dyslexia and ADHD to get specialised one-to-one support with job-hunting was taken in the final months of the three-year programme. The last year of the National Lottery funded drive also saw Upturn utilise their mobile vehicle Hope to not only discuss career and education opportunities but to dispense practical support – such as free sanitary pads.
Participants in the programme, said:
“I never thought someone would give me a chance. Now I am training as a plasterer. I am proud of myself.”
“Upturn really listened. Not just about getting a job, but about life, money, everything that had got in the way.”
A visually impaired participant now working in the Probation Service, added:
“Upturn helped me build-up my CV, get funding for transport and prepare for the job interview I passed. “
All of those who got personalised life coaching, skills development, volunteering, and job search support received aftercare from Upturn.
One of those participants concluded: “We don’t want handouts, we need long-term, realistic support that meets people where they are.”
And that’s exactly what they got.
