Autism is a lifelong developmental condition which affects how a person communicates and interacts with the outside world and impedes the ability to prioritise tasks and make informed decisions.
85% of autistic adults never succeed in holding down full-time employment. The stigma experienced can result in family conflict, a complete withdrawal from society and heavy reliance on state benefits.
IWORK4ME knows that self-employment can be the ideal career solution for autistic people.
We have ten years' track record in helping move forward abstract business ideas to become business reality!
Since 2012, with limited resources much has been achieved. IWORK4ME's team of two part-time business coaches has regularly engaged with over 265 autistic people, their families and circles of support to identify aspirations, options for and skills relevant to the launch of viable microenterprises.
As businesses are launched and clients realise their potential, clients report that they: enjoy increased financial independence; learn and employ new life skills; experience a sense of personal growth, fulfilment and reduced social isolation; begin to live well, more happily and enjoy improved mental health through successfully building their own future; experience increased sense of self-worth; build resilience and become active contributors to their communities; and believe they enhance society through exposure of their unique talents, skills and viewpoints.
I have struggled for years to find employment, and have only ever managed to find temporary jobs and very few of these. It was only after a late diagnosis of Aspergers that I realised why this was. IWORK4ME is the only organisation that has been willing to work with me over the long-term, giving me the support and encouragement that I need to regain my confidence and move forward.
Alex of Beacon Genealogy
Trying out self-employment and running a micro business with the support of IWORK4ME and my Mum has really given me a purpose in life and helped my self-esteem and mental well-being. I now feel like I have achieved something and am successful whereas before I felt like a failure.
Ruth of Penguin Parade
IWORK4ME give us invaluable ongoing support and advice. It's not just the help needed to start out but with the sustainability in keeping it going and moving onto the next stages which can be difficult and scary. Being autistic means that my daughter can get overwhelmed easily when things move too fast, and she can take longer to process things so having someone understand that she needs to take each stage at a slower pace so she can cope is great. It's crucial to have help from someone who is familiar with the particular difficulties that autistic adults can experience in the world of self-employment to support them and that's what IWORK4ME are so good at.
Kirsten M for daughter Ruth of Penguin Parade
Your donation, in celebration of our 10 years of service, will help us continue to offer FREE Business Mentoring to 40+ autistic people in Scotland each year, via 1:1 in person and / or online via Zoom coaching sessions, providing opportunity for independence, improved mental wellbeing and a sense of personal growth. Thank you.
To celebrate our 10 years of service we have a fantastically fun quiz for you to take part in. Entry is FREE. To enter visit https://www.iwork4me.org.uk/celebrating-10-years-of-service/
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
