A leading North-East charity, which supports autistic and neurodiverse people, has launched a new initiative aimed at helping 18 to 22-year-olds to find work. PETER BARRON finds out more about what’s on offer – and talks to a company that’s leading the way.

AS a company with a 135-year history in the North-East, there is a deep well of experience and knowledge at Clearly Drinks, as well as a passion for supporting the region.

The soft drinks company draws its own water from a spring on its site in Sunderland, and a commitment to social responsibility flows through the business too.

For example, the business has a strong track record of engaging with employment programmes operated by the North East Autism Society (NEAS).

It also works in partnership with The Salvation Army, helping homeless people find work through a project called Employment Plus.

“We want to be beneficial to the community and bring a diverse range of people into the business, with different experiences and skill-sets,” says Clearly Drinks’ Head of Marketing, Susanne Wright. “We passionately believe that having people with different views on the world is good for us.”

With such an enlightened philosophy, it is no surprise that Clearly Drinks became one of the first companies to sign up when a new programme was launched by NEAS – through the charity’s Employment Futures department – to break down the barriers to young people finding employment opportunities.

The Youth Employment Service North East (YESNE) is a new project targeted at 18 to 22-year-olds, who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). And NEAS is appealing to businesses across the region to follow Clearly Drinks’ example in helping to provide potentially life-changing opportunities.

Funded by the Youth Futures Foundation, YESNE is one of the first programmes of its kind in the country, aimed at finding young people work experience, placements, training and, in some cases, permanent employment.

Clearly Drinks – known for many years as Villa Soft Drinks – was founded in 1885 and, as well as manufacturing a range of its own products, it has also become one of the UK’s leading specialist bottlers, with popular brands such as Perfectly Clear, Northumbria Spring, Upstream, and Revolution Waves coming off the production line.

As an employer of more than 70 people, it is now leading the way by signing up to YESNE, having had positive experiences with other NEAS programmes, such as Moving On Tyne and Wear.

Tracy Mallam, the company’s Production Manager, handles the recruitment for production staff and has been happy to take referrals from NEAS into her department. It begins with work experience but has, so far, led to two permanent jobs.

“We are really passionate about getting those into employment who would otherwise struggle,” explains Susanne.

Clearly Drinks also operates an apprenticeship scheme so it can bring in new employees at a younger age and mould them into being a success with the company.

“We firmly believe in growing our own talent, and providing opportunities to a diverse range of people,” adds Susanne.

“The people we have brought in from the North East Autism Society have been absolutely brilliant, bringing a new dynamic to the business, so it’s something we want to build on through the Youth Employment Service North East.”

Using personal experience to break
down barriers to employment

WHEN it comes to finding employment opportunities for others, Jacki Pigford is able to draw on a wealth of personal experience.

When she was made redundant from a previous role in corporate fundraising for a hospice, Jacki couldn’t find work for a while, so she can empathise with the difficulties facing those trying to break down barriers to the jobs market.

“I really struggled and yet I don’t have the challenges facing someone with neurodiversity,” says Jacki, who is now Employment Engagement Officer for the North East Autism Society.

“I can’t imagine how hard it must be for someone with anxiety trying to break down barriers, and that’s what makes me so passionate about wanting to help others.”

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Since joining NEAS, Jacki has been involved in a host of initiatives, including the Step Forward Tees Valley project, and the Durham Works employment engagement programme.

Now, she is spearheading the newly launched Youth Employment Service North East (YESNE), the latest NEAS campaign, building on other initiatives such as Moving On Tyne and Wear, Diversity North East and the Personal Mentoring Programme.

“The funders saw the need to support young people, especially those who are neurodiverse, and there is virtually nothing else filling that gap in the North-East,” says Jacki.

Initially, the Youth Futures Foundation is funding YESNE for two years, but there are hopes it will be extended if it proves to be successful.

The Foundation has expressed concern about the steady rise in long-term youth unemployment, with latest statistics showing that around 250,000 young people have been out of work for more than six months – a 70 per cent increase on a year ago. That equates to 27 per cent of jobless 16 to 17-year-olds being unemployed for six months, rising to 51 per cent for 18 to 24-year-olds.

“This will have a scarring impact on individuals and the economy,” says a Foundation spokesman. “We cannot leave young unemployed people in limbo as the economy moves on, benefiting more experienced workers.”

Participants get 16 weeks of workshops with highly experienced employment specialists, Mary Murton, Philip Nicholson, and Sarah Wallace. Together, they work on breaking down barriers to employment, such as overcoming anxiety, confidence building, CV development and interview techniques.

The programme has been specifically designed for neurodivergent young people – a term used to describe those who think differently from the majority – however, no formal diagnosis is needed. Examples of neurodiversity include autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD and Tourette syndrome.

And although it’s targeted at young people in Tyne and Wear, once participants are signed up, they can travel to the wider region to complete placements, with travel expenses and lunches covered by the programme. Employers in other parts of the North-East can, therefore, offer opportunities.

The first cohort of 46 is due to start in the first week of October, with the second 46 referrals joining in April. That will be followed by a third cohort of 80 and, by then, a pilot scheme for 16 to 17-year-olds will run alongside the main programme.

As well as NEAS and Clearly Drinks, other employers taking part so far include the Stagecoach bus company, which has agreed to provide placements for 16 members of the first cohort at its four Tyne and Wear depots.

Other supporters are: Gentoo Group; The Customs House arts venue, at South Shields; Eldon Square shopping centre, in Newcastle; The Sage Group; Sue Todd Photography; Brew Lab; The Skill Mill; Sunderland City Council; and Aspire Technology Solutions.

Advanced talks are also taking place with other companies looking to get involved, with NEAS promising autism awareness training and ongoing support.

Everyone on the programme must get two placements, with a minimum of two days and a maximum of five. “It’s not a huge commitment but it can have a massive impact on people’s lives, and bring business benefits,” says Jacki.

“It’s all about giving young people a taste of the opportunities available, in a supportive environment, with people who understand their needs.

“The world can be a scary place and then you throw in a pandemic, and it’s suddenly a whole lot worse.

“That’s why we are appealing to businesses to take people on work experience, and see what it’s like working with a neurodiverse person, some of whom are the most committed individuals with a range of qualities and talents.”

For Jacki Pigford, who knows what it’s like to be out of work, the Youth Employment Service North East programme is a personal mission.

“There’s no greater satisfaction I can think of than being able to help young people into employment opportunities when they might otherwise not get the chance,” she says.