Newton Aycliffe sisters win at Autism Hero Awards 2025

Bishop Auckland-based Hiyed CIC received a highly commended  award at the Autism Hero Awards  2025.

The accolade was for supporting the autism community in finding meaningful and sustainable work.

Sisters Tracy Fee, 54 and Julie Patterson, 45, from Newton Aycliffe received the award in the Leading Business of The Year category "for making a significant impact in the autism community".

Hiyed CIC team at the awards (Image: HIYED CIC) Tracy expressed her thanks for the award, saying, “This award is a testament to the hard work, passion, and commitment of our team in making a real difference.

"We are delighted to be recognised among such inspiring individuals and businesses.”

Hiyed CIC, launched in Bishop Auckland in November 2023, grew from an initial team of three to an organisation of 30 staff members within 17 months, offering "nurturing experiences" for over 200 individuals.

Some 30 per cent of the individuals with learning difficulties, mental health issues and other various lifestyle challenges the organisation has, now have confirmed contracts for paid work starting in July.

Hiyed CIC's supported individuals have been working with local businesses across County Durham and Newcastle from the Beamish Museum, Metro Centre and Northumbria Water.

Hiyed CIC team (Image: HIYED CIC) Tracy, a former NHS mental health nurse turned entrepreneur, said: "These individuals have good problem solving skills as they have been learning how to do that from a very young age."

Hiyed CIC has been working within job centres and schools in the district encouraging pupils aged 16 and over find "sustainable" and "meaningful" work during a period of time in County Durham of regionally high unemployment rates.

Tracy set up the venture after she was diagnosed as autistic later in life and set about supporting others facing similar challenges.

She added: “The realisation of just how hard it must be for others made me want to help those who had similar struggles and do whatever I could to make the workplace more inclusive for all."

Tracy Fee, 54 from Newton Aycliffe (Image: HIYED CIC) Regional employers have returned time and again to Hiyed CIC as they feel these individuals add to their companies' diversity and workplace environment.

According to ONS, four per cent of individuals aged 16 and over in County Durham, are unemployed but actively seeking work, with the North-East being the fourth lowest of nine similar areas.

Unemployed adults as a percentage of economically active adults (Image: OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS)Additionally, Hiyed CIC has been supporting individuals in their 40s and over who have had challenging times in schools and didn't feel supported in their education.

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With the organisation, people who struggle in those old learning environments "get a second chance" by receiving "well supported learning and engaging with social queues and workplace etiquette".

The organisation's opportunities align with recently announced government initiatives and prioritises tackling inclusivity in employment and supporting people off benefits.

You can follow Hiyed CIC's work here: https://www.ne-bic.co.uk/customer-stories/employment-support-proves-just-the-job/