Rainbow Autism is a not-for-profit specialist support service for those with high functioning autism, ADHD and mental health problems. We have proved ourselves to be successful in turning people's lives around for the better. People with autism, ADHD and some mental health problems often find themselves isolated because their behaviour can be perceived as odd or challenging for others. Traits of autism cause those with the condition to have problems with processing information and struggling in their engagement with others (especially with regards to their presentation of non-verbal communication and in their interpretation of others behaviour). They can often fail to understand ‘social norms’ and can be very literal in their thinking. They can also be over or under sensitive to sounds, light and smells.

95% of people with autism are unemployed, yet 75% say they would like to have a job if they had appropriate support and understanding. Many referred to us at Rainbow Autism communicate feelings of having no purpose in their life. Structure and routine has been shown to increase or maintain well-being. The traits of autism therefore become very challenging to their attempts to gain or maintain employment. However, those with autism have many talents and skills to offer and given the appropriate support and understanding they can make the most reliable, hard-working employees and many have exceptional skills and talents (Albert Einstein, Mozart, Andy Warhol and Steve Jobs are now recognised as those with high functioning autism and so showcase the creative talents that can be found).

Rainbow wants to support more people to access work and wishes to gain funding to enable us to do that. We will provide a range of support tailor-made to meet an individuals needs, from individual job coaching to a Employaility Skills course for a small group. We will also work and promote our project to local employers with hope of securing placements and receiving sponsorship.