What We Do

Empower Works supports participants who are autistic and/or neurodivergent, those with learning difficulties and disabilities, and people experiencing mental ill-health to identify and tackle barriers to finding employment. Spanning the North of Tyne Combined Authority (NTCA) area the project aims to encourage those who wish to enter the labour market move closer to employment.  

The project is based on the principles of one-to-one support and person-centred planning. It provides bespoke support for residents who are unemployed, or economically inactive, with more intensive and innovative interventions because of the complex barriers they face around social exclusion. The project will support participants to overcome these barriers, by building aspiration, confidence and unlocking participants potential. 

North East Autism Society (NEAS) will lead the project with Azure Charitable Enterprises as delivery partner, providing a multi-disciplinary team of Advisors. Alongside their Advisor, each participant will develop an Individualised Action Plan (IAP) which allows them to select from a wide range of activities based on their individual circumstances, to holistically address their identified employment needs together.  

NEAS is the leading voice concerning Autism and Neurodivergence (AND) in the region; passionate around the skills, talents and abilities of individuals empowering them to reach their full potential in life. 

Several other organisations from the region’s cultural sector will provide participants with a range of activities offering creative and innovative means to address social exclusion; improve confidence; motivation and wellbeing. These include: 

• Beacon Films CIC: who support the development of creative skills and talents.  
• Gosforth Civic Theatre: who empower and enable people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people to improve health and wellbeing while developing employability skills.  
• Chilli Studios: who deliver creative services to those who are or are at risk of experiencing diagnosed mental health problems.  
• Maltings Berwick: who deliver high quality, artist-led creative engagement offering everyone in their community the chance to enjoy & take part in creative activities.

Find out more about Empower Works on their website https://www.empowerworksne.org.uk/

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is delivered until March 2025. 

If you have any queries or would like any further information about this project, please contact:  Ed Laschet, NTCA Project Manager: ed.laschet@northoftyne-ca.gov.uk