Julie Patterson
Employment & Engagement Lead, Hiyed CIC
I am passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities and neurodiverse conditions to achieve meaningful employment. As a neurodiverse person myself, I use my lived experience to create inclusive pathways, ensuring that workplace environments are accessible, supportive, and adaptive to different needs.
With extensive expertise in supported employment, I have worked across various roles, from Job Coach to Team Leader at DurhamEnable, and now as Employment & Engagement Lead at Hiyed CIC, where I lead initiatives that connect employers with diverse talent. My journey has equipped me with a deep understanding of the challenges individuals face in employment—especially when navigating workplace expectations, communication barriers, and neurodiversity-related adjustments.
Currently, I also work three days a week as a Supported Employment Implementation Specialist at DWP Connect to Work, where I help shape employment programmes that foster inclusivity and accessibility across the workforce.
My approach is driven by understanding, rooted in experience, and focused on tangible impact—helping individuals not just find work, but thrive in it.
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At Hiyed CIC, I focus on:
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Creating tailored employment support that recognises individual strengths and needs.
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Engaging with employers to develop inclusive recruitment practices.
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Providing mentorship and training to job seekers and businesses.
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Advocating for workplace adjustments that support neurodiverse employees.