If you’re seeking support for recruitment, job retention or general employment support that is specifically for autistic adults and addressing autistic needs, interests and goals, then you may be able to access one-to-one support through our Volunteer Mentor Support service.

This work is funded by a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund.

You might want to:

  • Explore autistic routes to employment and inclusive recruitment support, as well as practise.
  • Identify workplace adjustments, needs and structure to help you achieve your work goals in an accessible and supportive way.
  • Discuss employment signposting and support that will be helpful for your employment needs.
  • Implement coping strategies for day to day in the work environment and how to address autistic burnout in the workplace.

These are just a few examples. Our volunteer employment mentors can help with a wide range of challenges or concerns you may be facing.

Please note that we are currently at capacity for this service. Unfortunately, we can no longer take any new referrals this year.

Volunteer Employment Mentor Support – Referral Criteria

To access this service, you need to:

  • Be aged 18+ and live in the Leeds City Council area
  • Have received a diagnosis of autism via the NHS or a private diagnostic pathway
  • Currently receive little or no funded support

For more information or to apply for a mentor, please email us at [email protected] and we will be in touch as soon as we can.

Becoming a volunteer employment mentor

We are looking for suitable people to become volunteer employment mentors. To become one, you’ll need to:

  • Contact us and we will send you more information and an application form
  • Have a meeting with us. We will arrange to meet you at a suitable time
  • Enrol on our next mentoring training sessions – it has three sessions:
    • Autism awareness
    • Employment Mentoring
    • Induction
  • Be suitable for training – we’re interested to hear from anyone with knowledge or an interest in autism, particularly people with lived experience
  • Have a little spare time each week to meet your mentee. Typically, this is around an hour over each fortnight

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please complete the Volunteer Enquiry Form. Then, we will be in touch with details of upcoming training dates and times.