Rochdale amongst the first to get neurodiverse youth club

Young people living with conditions such as autism and ADHD will be able to improve their confidence, skills and even get fit – thanks to what is believed to be one of Britain’s first neurodiverse youth hubs.
Set-up by Upturn, the weekly sessions will run at Trident Health and Performance in Rochdale – where 16–25-year-olds will be able to do free gym workouts.  
And the sessions will also include solving the weighty problem of joblessness amongst the neurodiverse (currently standing at 79%) by helping participants look for suitable work and compile CVs and covering letters.
The hub will even assist JobCentrePlus outlets – who will be able to class the sessions as training, thus meeting their targets!
The launch of the drive (see close of release for details) follows a three-month pilot scheme which has already helped young people find volunteering roles, college courses, and employment. 
“Those living with neurodiverse conditions face multiple barriers in life and work” said Senior Talent Coach for Upturn, Gail Lavery. “Social situations and meeting new people can be difficult for some, while others struggle with the dynamics of applying and being interviewed for roles. There is stigma around neurodiversity, too. And yet bosses such as Bill Gates have not only found ways to bring the best out of neurodiverse employees, they have actively sort them out for their unique ways of thinking.”
That mindset includes being strong analytically, and tech companies in Silicon Valley provide quiet spaces for workers, who then thrive. Despite difficulties with communicating, neurodiverse people tend to have a strong emotional intelligence, which means they excel with caring organisations, including the health service.
“We work in small groups and manage the environment carefully – and the young people really respond” continued Gail. “We treat everyone as individuals and realise they have different needs. For example, they can gain access to personal hygiene products and new clothes. Looking good is just one of the ways we inspire the most important element of the programme – building confidence.” 
The youth hub, which is supported by the Well Foundation and funded by the Workers’ Educational Association, has real ambitions and will support the young people to organise social events.
“These may sound like small things to those who are not neurodiverse, but they are of enormous significance to people who sometimes struggle to venture outside of their own front door” concluded Gail. “We are helping them to build friendship circles and develop the level of self-esteem needed to find work. We know that they are very special people indeed, who just think differently, and this Hub will be the first step in proving that to others.”
The neurodiversity youth club launch happens on:
Friday 19 September
10am – 2pm
Trident Health and Performance
31 George Street,
Rochdale
OL16 2DF
Local organisations and especially families are invited (see poster).