Metro mayor praises NEAS employability scheme

North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll visited our employability programme DiversityNE and praised its success at getting autistic and neurodivergent people into work.

The mayor also called on North-east employers to step up their efforts to recruit and support a more diverse workforce.

“Diversity of background and experience means a richer range of knowledge, character, thought and ideas –and what smart employer wouldn’t want that in their workforce?” Mr Driscoll said.

“DiversityNE is showing what can be done if you take the right approach.”

The scheme, which is aimed at reducing the disability employment gap, is funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority and the European Social Fund and delivered by NEAS and Azure Charitable Enterprises.

By the end of 2022 it had supported 162 participants, four of whom met the mayor during his visit to DiversityNE’s office in North Shields.

Hannah Roxborough got her first ever permanent job through the scheme, at Tyne Tunnels. “It’s not tokenism – they care about you – and that makes a big difference,” she told Mr Driscoll.

“It’s very difficult to find an employer who supports you. Autism is a recognised condition, so why aren’t they recognising it?”

Callum Jewell had been unemployed for five years and struggled with anxiety and social interactions before he signed up to DiversityNE.

The scheme built up his confidence to the extent that he could achieve his long-term dream of getting a job with the NHS within a community palliative care team. He said:

“I think autistic people can have barriers that make it harder for them to get employment than a neurotypical person.”

Vicky Pervin, who has learning difficulties, is such a success as a care assistant with Solehawk she is their current employee of the month. Meanwhile Michael Milson, who has double vision and mobility issues because of a brain tumour, got a job as an IT service desk analyst with the NHS after six years on the sick.

“DiversityNE made me feel so much more confident in my abilities,” he said.

To find out what DiversityNE can do for you – or your business – get in touch here.