Oxford Wood Recycling’s Wood to Work programme was created to help people reach their potential by assisting them at the earliest possible stage, enabling young disadvantaged people to gain the skills needed to secure paid employment and increase their financial independence.

The beneficiaries of Wood to Work typically manage levels of neurodiversity, which can prevent them from leading a fully independent life and can cause poor mental and physical health.

Since it started, the Wood to Work programme has helped more than 40 people, with 19 moving on to paid work.

There are currently 20 people being supported by the programme.

Richard Snow, CEO at Oxford Wood Recycling, said: “The Wood to Work programme represents the fulfilment of our ambition as a charity to address inequalities of opportunity in employment for those individuals who are neurodiverse, manage poor health, or have had a very difficult route through life.

“The programme is entirely funded from charitable grants, and we are very grateful for this support and mindful that we must deliver on our promise to change lives.

“Wood to Work is the result of many years of experience of working with volunteers and staff members from these groups, and it allows us to reach more of the need that we find in our local community.”

Figures show only around 30 per cent of working age autistic people are in employment, compared to half of all disabled people and 80 per cent of non-disable people.

Mr Snow added: “Our beneficiaries require significant person-to-person support.

“We can do more, and we can do better, but Wood to Work is successful in both engaging with and delivering for individuals who want to work, are fit to work, but are prevented from working.

“Seeing the positive change in the lives of participants brings immense joy and pride to our staff and volunteers, as well as our customers and supporters in the community.”

One beneficiary of the programme said: “Oxford Wood Recycling has unveiled new opportunities for work and development, eventually opening up new potential career opportunities.

“All of which has built my personal confidence in myself, so I am not discouraged by people’s opinions, but instead confident to voice my own thoughts.

“The new experience of working within a team has allowed me to challenge and experiment with ideas, learning from other people and listening to feedback.

“And so now, I am always looking forward to the next project.”

The programme is supported by funding from Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon, The Macfarlane Family Foundation, and NRS Harwell.