Charity wins award for Guy's and St Thomas' autism jobs scheme

Monday 13 October 2014


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A Southwark-based charity which set up the UK’s first autism specific internship scheme with Guy’s and St Thomas’ has won a prestigious European Diversity Award.

CareTrade was named Charity of the Year at a glittering awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum – other winners included IBM, Barclays and Newsnight presenter Evan Davis.

CareTrade has been working in partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ since September 2010 when the charity and the Trust jointly established The Autism Project. 

The programme has benefited more than 40 young people to date, a number of whom have gone on to become Trust staff.

Of the young people who have joined The Autism Project to date, 88% were work ready at the end of the year and 15% got a job before the end of the course.

A further 57% of those who went on to Employment Opportunities, CareTrade’s job-finding programme for autistic youngsters, secured full-time paid work or an apprenticeship within six months.

Karen Edwards, Founder and Chief Executive of CareTrade, says: “Our statistics show that many young people with autism, including those with additional learning difficulties, want to work and with the right opportunities they can work.

“Being in employment is the biggest single factor that can transform the life of a young person with autism.

“This award is a tribute not only to CareTrade staff and the young people themselves but to all those individuals at Guys and St Thomas’ who mentor and support our young people while they are in their work experience placements.”

Last updated: March 2022

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