5 days Ago
John Phillipson, Chief Executive of the North East Autism Society (NEAS), made the impassioned plea when Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, visited an innovative training project run by the charity in County Durham. Sir Stephen has praised the charity’s “very impressive” £4.2m plans to develop a working farm and visitor centre – complete with a café, shop, retail units and apple mill – as a training centre and employment hub for autistic and neurodivergent people.
During a tour of New Warlands Farm, near Burnhope , the minister talked to staff and service-users, saw a wood workshop in action, and sampled the “delicious” apple juice produced from hundreds of trees on the site. Mr Phillipson, and Derek Groves, Employment Services Manager for NEAS, explained to Sir Stephen how the charity supports around 350 people a year towards work through its groundbreaking Employment Futures service. Around a third find sustained employment, while others go into further education and training.
However, the charity is hampered by short-term Government funding for employment initiatives – often only lasting up to a year – which doesn’t allow them to be fully effective. “We asked the minister to consider a longer-term, more holistic approach to employment initiatives, along with longer courses, because we know that would enable us to help more people into work and off benefits,” said Mr Phillipson. “We are delighted that the minister not only took time to visit the farm but listened to what we had to say about the challenges we face, and the changes we feel are needed.
” New Warlands Farm currently hosts 52 autistic people as a training centre, but Mr Phillipson told the minister 64 meaningful jobs could be provided through the planned development of the farm over the next year. NEAS is also in talks with high-profile businesses about training partnerships at the site, leading to jobs elsewhere. Mr Groves, who has been seconded to the Department of Work and Pensions as a Supported Employment Implementation Specialist, called for a multi-agency response, enabling the charity to provide additional support in areas such as occupational therapy, benefits advice, and housing support, alongside employment specialists.
Sir Stephen said: “There are far too many barriers to work in the way of people with disabilities and health problems. “At New Warlands Farm, we are seeing wonderful opportunities being created for people with autism and learning disabilities to be trained, improve their confidence, and move into jobs of all kinds. “We need to see much more of that, and for those barriers to be dismantled through innovative opportunities like those being provided by the North East Autism Society.
” MINISTER HEARS HOW NORTH EAST AUTISM SOCIETY TRANSFORMED WOMAN'S LIFE A YOUNG autistic woman, who had been misdiagnosed for a decade, told Sir Stephen Timms, how her life has been transformed after being referred to the North East Autism Society. The Minister of State for Social Security and Disability heard the moving story of Leanne Hunter during his visit to New Warlands Farm. Leanne, who lives in Ryton, told Sir Stephen: “I had lived with a misdiagnosis of being bi-polar for ten years, and when I came to NEAS last year, I was in crisis, lost and struggling.
” Most read: Get a full year of the Northern Echo for only £25 or try six months for just £6. After a “rocky work history”, Leanne was referred to the charity’s Employment Futures service by a disability coach at the Jobcentre. That unlocked expert support in coming to terms with being autistic, and helped build her confidence, so she could apply for jobs again.
Leanne Hunter with Sir Stephen Timms (Image: Lisa Taylor) Leanne has now graduated from Sunderland University with a master’s degree in Human Resource Management, and is due to start a new job with ACAS, helping ensure workplaces are accessible for disabled people. “NEAS filled a gap that the NHS couldn’t fill, Leanne told Sir Stephen. “My life suddenly made sense, and I don’t know where I’d be without that support.
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