National Autistic Society

After many years of donating to a variety of charities, Jane Jonas, CEO of the Hutchinson Jonas Group, decided to focus her energy on supporting The National Autistic Society, specifically helping people with autism find suitable roles in the workplace.

Jane's youngest daughter was diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum at a young age. She said: “My daughter is an adorable child and a delight to be around; however, we do worry how she will manage when she is old enough leave home and wants to start looking for work.”

Jane attended the launch of the Think Differently about Autism campaign at the Houses of Parliament and began working with Prospects, the arm of society set up to help people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome find work. Jane advises Prospects on how they could follow the recruitment agency model to command a placement fee in order to fund all the necessary first-year support for both the employer and the new employee.

In March 2008, Alistair Beaton joined Jonas. Alistair, who is on the autistic spectrum, uses his computer skills to add new clients to the database. It is the first time he has worked in an office environment, and the first time he been paid for his work.

He said: “The work helps with my social skills and my confidence. This is a really nice environment. If I wanted to leave, this experience would help me get a new job.”