• Local or online peer support groups

• Social drop-ins or community meet-ups

• Lived experience forums or networks

• Informal neurodivergent-led initiatives

• Safe spaces for connection and shared understanding

• Mental health and neurodiversity learning

• Workplace inclusion training

• Personal development resources

• CPD opportunities

• Unmet needs

• Systemic barriers

• Service gaps

• Feedback from lived experience

• National or local toolkits

• Best practice examples

• Inclusion checklists

• Campaign materials

The session is also open to anyone who ma have someone neurodivergent in their life - a friend, colleague, relative, neighbour - everyone is welcome.

🎯 Who It Supports
Autistic individuals seeking employment; employers looking to create inclusive roles tailored to neurodivergent strengths.

💼 What It Helps With

• Role design and job matching

• Employment opportunities in Administration, AI, and Automation

• Employer collaboration to support neurodivergent talent

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Website: autimatic.co.uk

• Referral Route for individuals : People on the spectrum - autimatic.co.uk

• Referral Route for business partnerships: Employers - autimatic.co.uk

• Internal contact: (Add if known)

📌 Overview

Briefly describe the offer, service, or resource. What does it do? Who runs it? What’s the main purpose?

Example: “Autism Forward is a charity that supports autistic adults into employment through specialist mentoring and employer partnerships.”

🎯 Who It Supports

Who is the intended audience? Be specific — e.g. autistic adults, ADHDers, employers, job coaches, etc.

Example: “Autistic adults seeking employment; employers wanting to improve inclusive recruitment.”

💼 What It Helps With

What kind of support is offered? Employment? Training? Workplace adjustments? Peer support? Awareness?

Example: “One-to-one mentoring, CV support, interview coaching, and employer training.”

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

Include any useful links, referral routes, or contact details. If there’s a website, add it. If there’s a named contact for internal networking, include that too.

Example: “Website: www.autismforward.org | Referral via online form | Internal contact: Jane Smith, Employment Lead”

💡 What to Add

We’re looking for anything that helps build a fuller picture of support across the borough and beyond:

• Peer and community groups

• Employer training or inclusive initiatives

• Charities and service providers

• Youth or education support

• Health and work-related offers

• Toolkits, campaigns, or good practice

• Gaps or unmet needs you’ve spotted

  
  

📎 Underneath this item, you’ll find a template to use for adding your own entries.

📌 Overview
What is the offer or service? Who runs it? What’s its main purpose?

🎯 Who It Supports
Who is the intended audience? Be specific (e.g. autistic adults, ADHDers, employers).

💼 What It Helps With
What kind of support is offered? (e.g. employment, training, workplace adjustments, peer support, awareness)

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info
Include website links, referral routes, and any internal contacts if known.

🎯 Who It Supports
Professionals, carers, individuals with lived experience, and community members across Greater Manchester and beyond.

💼 What It Helps With

• Mental health and neurodiversity education

• Addiction recovery support

• Wellbeing and personal development

• Team training and awareness building

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Website: www.gmmh.nhs.uk/recovery

• Access: Create a free account to explore and book courses

• Referral Route: Open access (no formal referral needed)

📌 Overview

A welcoming series of free, peer-led groups and drop-ins for autistic adults and those awaiting diagnosis. These groups bring autistic people together for social connection, feedback on service design, and support in a safe and inclusive space.

🎯 Who It Supports

Autistic adults and individuals awaiting diagnosis across Wigan Borough.

💼 What It Helps With

Peer support and social connection

Community engagement and feedback

Employment advice and signposting

Inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals

Monthly Sessions Include:

• Autism Friends Coffee Group – relaxed social meet-up over tea and biscuits. First Thursday each month, 11:00–14:00 at Molyneux House, Wigan

• Autism Engagement Group – community feedback forum aligned with the Wigan All‑Age Autism Strategy. Second Thursday each month, 10:00–12:00 in Ince

• Autism Employability Group – connect with Disability Employment Advisors for advice on volunteering, job searches, reasonable adjustments, and interview support. Third Thursday each month, 11:00–14:00

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

How to attend: No referral required — attend directly

Contact: autismfriends@wigan.gov.uk

Internal contact: (Add if known)

• Template for adding entries

• Example cards

• Overview of what we’re mapping

• Job search support

• CV and interview coaching

• Volunteering pathways

• In-work support

• Inclusive recruitment support

• Workplace adjustments guidance

• Employer training or consultancy

• DEI initiatives and staff networks

• Employer-led pilot schemes or case studies

• National support platforms

• Local service directories

• Interactive tools

• Resource libraries

• Mental health services

• Occupational therapy

• Diagnostic pathways

• Wellbeing programmes

• Assistive tech and communication tools

• Online support platforms or directories

• Accessibility apps or browser extensions

• Digital resources for individuals or employers

• SEN support in schools and colleges

• Transition planning (e.g. school to work)

• Youth mentoring or advocacy

• Inclusive education initiatives

• Research initiatives

• Co-production projects

• Innovation funding trials

• New models of support

🎯 Who It Supports
Individuals with health-related barriers to work, including mental health, MSK conditions, neurodiversity, or those on elective care waiting lists.

💼 What It Helps With

• Staying in or returning to work

• Managing health challenges at work

• Navigating employment while awaiting treatment

• Building confidence and wellbeing

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: WorkWell Referral Form

• Who can refer: Self-referral or professional referral

• Enquiries: workwell@wigan.gov.uk

🎯 Who It Supports
Adults with a disability or long-term health condition.

💼 What It Helps With

• Building confidence and employability

• Job applications and interview techniques

• Work placements and job trials

• In-work coaching and ongoing support

• Employer advice on risk assessments and adjustments

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: Self or professional referral

• Eligibility: Adults with a disability or long-term condition

• Contact: 01942 828439

• Website: Supported Employment Service

• Advocacy and advice services

• Funding or benefits support

• Self-help tools and resources

• Navigation or signposting support

• Coaching, mentoring, or personal development

🎯 Who It Supports
Disabled or neurodivergent individuals in paid employment or about to start work.

💼 What It Helps With

• Specialist equipment and adaptations

• Support workers and job coaching

• Mental health support

• Travel to and from work

• Removing workplace barriers

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: Self-referral via Access to Work online application

• Eligibility: Must be in or about to start paid employment or self-employment

• Advisor role: Support with application and evidence gathering

• Processing: DWP case manager may contact the employer

📌 Overview
A personalised employment support programme for people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or mental health challenges that make it difficult to find or sustain work. Focused on rapid job search and finding the right job for each individual, not just any job. Support includes confidence building, barrier reduction, and tailored job coaching.

🎯 Who It Supports
Adults with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or mental health challenges.

💼 What It Helps With

• Rapid job search and job matching

• Confidence building and strengths identification

• Overcoming employment barriers

• One-to-one coaching and support

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: Self-referral via online form or by contacting the referral team

• Referral email: ipspcreferrals@gcemployment.uk

• Referral phone: 0161 237 4111

• Local contact: Joanne Galvin – joanne.galvin@gcemployment.uk / 07803 115330

🎯 Who It Supports
Autistic individuals seeking employment; employers looking to create inclusive roles tailored to neurodivergent strengths.

💼 What It Helps With

• Role design and job matching

• Employment opportunities in Administration, AI, and Automation

• Employer collaboration to support neurodivergent talent

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Website: autimatic.co.uk

• Referral Route for individuals : People on the spectrum - autimatic.co.uk

• Referral Route for business partnerships: Employers - autimatic.co.uk

• Internal contact: (Add if known)

📌 Overview
A user-led charity providing tailored support to disabled people and their families across Wigan & Leigh. Embrace offers a range of projects, services, and advocacy to promote independence, wellbeing, and community participation.

🎯 Who It Supports
Disabled individuals, people with additional needs, and their families in Wigan & Leigh.

💼 What It Helps With

• Advocacy and personalised support

• Community inclusion and wellbeing

• Access to services and information

• Family support and navigation

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: Self-referral or referral by families/professionals

• Website: Embrace Wigan & Leigh

• Application forms and service info available online

📌 Overview
Aspiring Futures supports young people aged 16–19 (and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties or disabilities) who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET). Progression Advisers offer independent, impartial advice to help individuals explore options and take confident next steps.

🎯 Who It Supports
Young people aged 16–19 (or up to 25 with SEND) who are NEET.

💼 What It Helps With

• Careers advice and guidance

• Job searching and applications

• College, training, and apprenticeship support

• CVs and interview preparation

• Referrals to specialist services

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: Self-referral or professional referral

• Contact: Via online form or through local youth hubs

🎯 Who It Supports
Adults with MSK conditions who need physiotherapy support.

💼 What It Helps With

• Direct access to physiotherapy

• Support for MSK-related pain or mobility issues

• Early intervention without GP referral

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: Self-referral form

• Note: Individuals should complete the form themselves

📌 Overview
Be Well offers a wide range of health and wellbeing services to residents of Wigan Borough. Their friendly teams — including health advisors, community link workers, and wellbeing instructors — support individuals with long-term health conditions, mobility challenges, and social barriers such as isolation, bereavement, and financial stress.

🎯 Who It Supports
Adults in Wigan Borough needing support with physical health, wellbeing, or social challenges.

💼 What It Helps With

• Managing long-term health conditions

• Mobility support and physical activity

• Nutrition and healthy weight

• Smoking cessation

• Social issues: isolation, bereavement, financial stress, housing, and employment concerns

  
  

🔗 Key Contact & Referral Info

• Referral route: Online referral form

• Who can refer: Professionals or self-referral

We work with Jobcentre Plus Work Coaches and local employers to help our participants secure sustainable employment in these areas.

If you are claiming Universal Credit, the Restart Scheme could help you find lasting employment. It is tailored to your individual needs, so you get the support that’s right for you.

Ask your Jobcentre Plus Work Coach about the Restart Scheme and how it could give you support, to identify and encourage your work goals and help you to transfer your existing skills into your next role.

We provide up to 12 months enhanced support and work with you to develop an action plan to help you to achieve your goals. We will help you to find new employment, provide local work experience placements and skills training, and signpost you to local health and wellbeing organisations to support you in your return to work if needed. 

Our Restart Scheme Advisors will give you personal advice and guidance on how your benefit calculations will look once you are in work and as you earn more. We can also offer you advice on money management, childcare, housing, and travel costs whilst you are on the scheme. In addition, we are able to assist you with reasonable costs, such as travel expenses associated with your participation on the Restart Scheme.

The group’s sessions currently focus on outdoor pursuits, including camping, outdoor cooking, personal hygiene, life skills, and environmental awareness.

These experiences are designed to build on independence, friendships, and connections with the natural world. We also provide SEN support and our staff and volunteers design and build inclusive activities.