When did you join ASM?
2021.

Tell us about your experience, lived and/or working?
I am a gigging musician and vocalist/guitarist most of the time and I have always had a drive to study as a music therapist. I started working in the field of Autism and neurodiversity when I worked at Resources for Autism as a support worker during the pandemic. I had lost all of my music work at the time due to COVID-19 restrictions so it was time to try something new! The support worker role quickly morphed into me working as an adults group leader, leading a mindfulness walking group and a music and songwriting group with RFA in London. All of this experience lead me to AS Mentoring as I was beginning to work more with adult service users who were looking for more independence and work opportunities. I am due to start my MA in Music Therapy at Roehampton University in September 2024.

What do you value most about your work?
Leading groups and workshops is my favourite part of the job. I created the Mental Health and Wellbeing workshop at ASM and run the Autistic Jobseekers Peer Support Group initiative. I’ve always been a confident and outgoing person (probably down to the performing) and facilitating groups fills me with energy and excitement every time. I love working dynamically and problem-solving as I go along in a workshop/group dynamic too and even though I’m filled with nerves before a corporate training, for example, once I’m in the room I value getting to know the individuals in the group and working with them to understand neurodiversity and facilitate conversations they may have been too nervous to have before. Empowering clients to build their support networks in 1-2-1 settings is key to the work too and another element that I value.

What are your areas of interest or expertise?
• Supporting creative self-employed clients (I currently support an autistic illustrator and have worked with him to gain agency representation and create new portfolios and a social media presence).
• Autism and emotional regulation – I’ve done so much work with clients in this field since being a support worker so it’s an area I feel I can work effectively on with clients.
• Workplace support – working with employed clients to understand what workplace adjustments they could benefit from and working with their employer to implement these. I’ve done a lot of this over the last two years. I ensure that notes and agendas are kept and followed effectively and that both sides feel listened to and supported while creating a more inclusive working environment for my clients.
• Mental health and well-being – supporting clients in this area has become a huge part of what i do at AS Mentoring. I am trained in mental health first aid and with my plan to train as a therapist I look forward to growing this area of my knowledge further.

When you’re not working, how do you relax, have fun etc?
I am a yoga fan (who isn’t?!) so I practice Vinyasa daily. I often perform on weekends so I don’t go out socially much but the more I am gigging the happier I feel as I enjoy performing at weddings and events. I often pick up new hobbies (most recently quilting and embroidery) but I get very obsessed for a couple of weeks and then when I think I have mastered it (I probably haven’t) – I move on. I listen to lots of silly podcasts with 90s/early 2000s themes that make me laugh. I live by the seaside so heading down to the beach promenade for a walk or sauna session is how I relax and I spend a lot of my spare time dog-sitting. I can’t wait to have my own English bulldog one day!