85 people with learning disabilities and autism gain valuable work opportunities through our Work Programme. The benefits of work are numerous – as well as earning money and developing new skills, people increase their self-confidence, communication skills and enjoy being a valued member of a team and their local community.

Our Head of Work Programme, Job Coach and Employment Support Workers facilitate work experience and employment opportunities for the people we support. We run three social enterprises where people can gain employment and work placements: the Style Acre Tea Room, our Charity Shop, and Green Acre – a garden maintenance business. Our community hubs also offer work opportunities, as do local companies.

Unfortunately, our social enterprises and several of the local companies that we work with have been affected during Covid-19. Our social enterprises are instrumental in offering people the chance to gain safe work opportunities and we are also grateful to the local companies who continue to support us. We are determined to continue supporting people to gain work opportunities wherever it is safe and possible to do so. Many people are undertaking ASDAN skills training remotely and at home.

Now more than ever, we need support to ensure our Work Programme continues to thrive so that people can continue to enjoy work opportunities when able, develop their skills and build confidence.

We seek new opportunities with local companies in Oxfordshire who would like to build a corporate partnership with Style Acre. This can involve corporate volunteering days, communication training for employees and in return we would – when safe – ask for a work experience placement for someone with learning disabilities and autism. We offer support from our dedicated team including our Head of Work Programme and Job Coach to ensure a smooth delivery and that realistic expectations are met. They and our Employment Support Workers will accompany and support the person undertaking work experience, until they feel confident enough to go it alone.

For more information please contact our Head of Work Programme or our Fundraising Team.