Moving forward to a bright future

An award-winning initiative run by the National Autistic Society Scotland helped a Coatbridge woman into employment; and now other young people from Monklands can also gain support.

The charity’s Moving Forward programme – funded by a £583,000 grant from Scottish Government initiative Cashback for Communities – works with 16- to 24-year-olds who are on the autistic spectrum to help them develop workplace skills, gain confidence and find employment.

Organisers told how Coatbridge participant Emma, 21, was able to attend workshops on social confidence and anxiety management. She had been referred through her local Jobcentre Plus, and told at an initial assessment how she can find social interaction and processing information to be challenging.

The programme allowed the qualified beauty therapist and make-up artist to begin a placement at a Glasgow salon for two days per week; where in turn she has now been offered a 21-hour post.

Moving Forward aims to support 300 young people over the next three years; it includes linking participants with volunteer mentors and recently won the “inclusion project of the year” award from the Scottish mentoring network.

Programme manager Jim Doherty said: “Moving Forward is open to North Lanarkshire young people aged 16 to 24, and offers a flexible, person-centred pathway, with mentoring being key.”

Visit www.autism.org.uk/ services/scotland, email moving. forward@nas.org.uk or call 0141 248 1725.