Caudwell Children aims to improve the employability and life skills of neurodivergent young people aged 16-25. It teaches useful techniques that can help you transition into work experience, volunteering or applying for a job. It is funded by Caudwell and will not  affect any benefits you may receive. There are two courses ‘Employability’ and ‘Life Skills’ and you can take part in both. For more information about the courses  visit the Caudwell children website.

Who can apply?

People between the ages of 16-25 people who are neurodivergent (diagnosed, non-diagnosed or self-identity How can I apply?

You can apply for a place yourself or you can ask a teacher to apply for you. You need to contact employability@caudwellchildren.com or call 0345 300 1348. You must have access to a computer or tablet with internet access.

The YES Project is a city-wide programme designed to support young people to engage with and sustain education or employment. It is led by North Staffordshire YMCA in partnership with Stoke City FC, Landau, National Literacy Trust, Youth Offending Team, Pearl Training Academy & The Inspirational Learning Group.

Who can apply?

• People between the ages of 16-24, living in Stoke-on-Trent.

How can I apply?

• Find out more by visiting the YES website and filling in the enquiry form.

Another way to gain experience that can help you find a job is through volunteering. When you volunteer you don’t get paid for your time, though you may get some money to pay for things like your travel costs. You can volunteer in lots of different roles such as working in a shop or helping at events.

There are lots of organisations who offer volunteering opportunities. If there is an organisation close to you that you are interested in you could ask them if you could spend some time volunteering.

Here are some places where you can find some opportunities and some more information:

VAST

VAST has a noticeboard with lots of different opportunities in different organisations: VAST Volunteering - VAST | Providing professional services for voluntary and community groups | Staffordshire

Culture Volunteer

Culture Volunteer is a project that supports people locally to become involved in volunteering in the arts and culture sector. They share opportunities on their Facebook page and will try to help you overcome any challenges you have that make volunteering more difficult.

You can find out more on their website here: Culture Volunteer North Staffordshire - Stoke Creates or by contacting culturevolunteerns@gmail.com

Here are some people who can help you look for and apply for jobs.

Stoke-on-Trent Young People’s Career Advice service

They provide online careers information, advices and guidance to young people aged 16-25. Advisors will help with finding local opportunities, making job applications and much more.

They share local opportunities on their Facebook page and also share share available apprenticeships on their website

You can find out more about the support they offer  by visiting their website: https://www.stoke-ypcareers.org/  .

The jet-ability team helps individuals to build confidence, overcome barriers and help to support you on your journey into education, training, volunteering or work.

They can help you if you:

• are age 18 or over
• are living in Stoke-on-Trent
• have a social worker who can refer you
• have a learning disability/difficulty or autism.
• have completed a supported internship, your college can refer you.

They can help you with:

• employment skills - CV and interview skills
• work experience and volunteering in a variety of roles
• confidence and self-esteem
• improving computer skills, accessing jobs and services
• supporting you whilst on placement, education or training
• referral to external courses and projects

How it works

The jet-ability advisors offer a tailored approach to meet individual needs through fortnightly support and review sessions. In these sessions you can discuss any ongoing support that you need and work together towards solutions, looking at how to overcome barriers. The support worker will work with you whilst out on placement or on training, supporting you to develop your skills and abilities in a range of environments.

How to get involved

If you would like to be involved in this new project ask your social worker to refer you. If you have completed a supported internship, ask your college to refer you.

For more information, email jet2work@stoke.gov.uk

Job Centre Plus will help you to find work or claim any benefits that you are entitled to. Local offices are found in Longton and in Newcastle. Visit the Job Centre Plus Website to find the correct office where you need to go.

Many jobs are advertised online and new jobs are added every day. It is a good idea to have a CV ready to upload to the website.

Some websites you might like to look at are:

• Indeed
• Jobsite
• Monster
• Stoke-on-Trent City Council jobs