March 7, 2024

Shelley Studholme, Step Forward into Volunteering and Employment Project Manager, discusses neuro diversity, work placements and more in this blog post:

On the 14th of February, I postponed opening all my Valentine cards and on behalf of the Step Forward Team headed to the Solway Hall, Civic Centre, Whitehaven to attend a Workplace Support Programme Workshop for neuro diversity. The workshop was looking at workplace expectations, personal challenges, and coping strategies, along with accommodating neurodiversity in the workplace. It was hosted by Copeland Work and Skills, All Together Cumbria and Morgan Sindall with Better Bodies delivering the training.

I participated in the workshop and offered a work placement – in the weeks ahead I will be matched to an individual who wants the opportunity to develop themselves and their skills in a supportive environment; tailored to their needs.

The Step Forward team will endeavour to make the placement as enriching, rewarding and meaningful as we can, with the needs of the person we host at the centre of the placement.

As part of our project offering, the Step Forward team look for work and volunteering placements for the clients whom we support; so it goes without saying I and the team need to invest some time in offering meaningful placements to gain learning and insight into the rewards – and any potential challenges to hosting a placement.

We are excited to meet the individual who will choose us and know we will learn as much from the experience as the individual who commits to the placement.

In May we will host a talented young student from Keswick School and have a week of meaningful and stimulating experiences planned to ensure we deliver a rewarding week.

Since offering the placement as part of the All Together Cumbria, Morgan Sindall and Copeland Work and Skills Neurodiversity in the Workplace programme, I have (on behalf of the Step Forward service) approached Lakes College and offered to support their “Path to Potential” workplace initiative and have been welcomed with open arms.

It is wonderful to be involved in such meaningful workplace initiatives that provide important and significant opportunities for self development and skill development; and I and the Step Forward team are passionate about supporting individuals to “Step Forward.”

In the weeks ahead, if you want to find out how the placements went and ask how you would go about hosting a placement, just reach out to myself or the Step Forward team and we will be happy to guide and steer you in the right direction.

Get in touch with the Step Forward team on 01768 800350, or email stepforward@cumbriacvs.org.uk