Access To Work (ATW)
Did you know you can get money from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to support your working life if you have a disability?
I use my ATW grant to pay a support worker to work with me (up to 10 hours a week).
She’s AWESOME.
She helped me make this website.
She listens to me rant (it’s how I process my thoughts and feelings, and information).
She helps me complete application forms and fiddly tasks that would be too infuriating to do on my own (ADHD comes with serious emotional issues, innit).
What is an access support worker?
I will flesh this out more with more information on how I work with mine, but in the meantime, here’s a helpful page that outlines how different people might use a support worker
It can be a daunting tasks trying to find a support worker, although there are many more available than when I first started my search. Here’s the job application I put out in early 2023. It might help you formulate your own thoughts on what you need support with, and how to articulate that to others.
You can also get access support to complete Arts Council Applications. Just email enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk
Here’s a spreadsheet of support workers made by Beth Sitek - beth@bethsitek.com
For more information, you might want to look at my page on Access Statements/Riders