14 Apr 2026
A group of people on a Hamelin's employment training programme have used their lived experience of autism to create a powerful project to educate others and inspire change.
Members from Hamelin’s Ability Works programme in Rochford recently completed the ‘Make it Happen’ module of the ‘Moving Forward’ programme delivered by the Centre for International Learning and Leadership (CILL). Ability Works supports autistic adults and people with learning disabilities to build skills, confidence and experience for employment, and opportunities like this course are a key part of that journey, helping participants put those skills into practice.
The ‘Make it Happen’ module focuses on turning ideas into action, encouraging people to explore what matters to them and how they can make a positive difference in their communities.
For this group, that meant speaking up about autism and sharing how they see and navigate the world.
Working together, they created a presentation that brings their experiences to life through sound clips, video, artwork and illustration. It offers an honest look at how autism shapes their everyday lives, while also helping others understand what can make a difference, from small changes in communication to wider shifts in awareness and inclusion.
At the heart of the project is a shared goal, to challenge the idea that the world has to work one way. The group spoke about how so much of society is built around neurotypical ways of thinking, and how that can make everyday situations more difficult to navigate. Their response was not to step back, but to step forward, using their voices to help others see things differently.
A key message running through their work is simple, ‘don’t make it a thing’. The group wants people to move away from seeing autism as something that sets individuals apart or holds them back, and instead focus on understanding, respect and treating people as individuals.
Through the programme, they have built confidence, developed teamwork and leadership skills, and gained a stronger sense of connection with each other and their communities. Projects like this also highlight the strengths autistic adults can bring to the workplace, from creativity and insight to communication and collaboration, showing what is possible when the right support is in place.
The group now wants to use the presentation as a tool to educate people about autism and encourage more inclusive attitudes in everyday life.
Lisa Webb, Hamelin’s Employment Support Co-ordinator, said she was incredibly proud of what the group has achieved.
She said: “This project is not just about the participants telling their stories, they are using them to educate, to open minds, and to encourage people to think again about how inclusive their environments really are. Listening to those with lived experience is incredibly powerful and it proves they are not just participants in a course, they are advocates, educators, and changemakers.”
An event was held to showcase the presentation to friends, family and local dignitaries, including Southend East and Rochford MP, Bayo Alaba, who presented participants with certificates to mark their achievements.
Mr Alaba said he was extremely impressed with the showcase.
He said: “Both Hamelin’s Ability Works training scheme and CILL’s Moving Forward programme are really important for those who take part, their families, and the wider community. The community needs to understand how we can better work with autistic adults and people with learning disabilities to support them to do the kind of work they want to do.
“It’s really important to recognise that these are very valued members of society who have a lot of skills and potential.”
Find out more about Ability Works by clicking here