Connect Yorkshire member Philip Bartey, Group Chief Executive of Autism Plus, shares an update on their chocolate factory and plans for 2026:
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, the joy of giving and the wonder and excitement it generates, let us not lose sight of the most precious gift of all In Jesus Christ who came into the world so that our sins may be forgiven. For Christians, this is what Christmas is really about.
It is my pleasure and privilege to lead Autism Plus as its Chief Executive. It is a role that has given me much job satisfaction as I celebrate 20 years as CEO this year. We have achieved so much during this time in expanding our services providing support and care across the Yorkshire and Humber Region. Our Employment Services operate nationwide today, and we have been delivering valuable employment services since 2007. We are also proud to be supporting and employing autistic and disabled people in back-office positions and in our social enterprises.
Today, unemployment has risen to over one million people who cannot find work, and the number of people experiencing homelessness in our towns and cities has grown. Many employers are not taking on staff, some are closing, and others are having to lay off staff due to rising costs and increased taxation, while struggling to make ends meet.
At Autism Plus we have a dedicated team delivering employment services support and training for 450 people. We also offer training and support to employers around understanding autism and neurodiversity. There are approximately one million people in the UK diagnosed with Autism. It is worrying to know that only 3 out of 10 adults with autism of working age are in any form of employment, and for many of those it is part time work. And yet we know from research that most of those desire to work and contribute to society. They long to feel valued, part of community life, enjoying a job and earning a living contributes immensely to their wellbeing and general health.
It was Henry Ford when asked how he meets what his customers want, he replied, ‘ I never strive to meet what my customers want. If I asked them what they wanted when I started my business, they would have said they want a better type of coach and horses. I gave them what they need- the motor car!’
In an analogous way when I asked our service users what they wanted besides a nice place to live and a good care package, to have a job was the aspiration of most people we supported. The thing they were unsure about was what sort of job they would like. But they were noticeably clear in wanting a real job within a real business that has a route to market. In 2013 we launched a chocolate factory and employed a first-class chocolatier who formerly worked for Bettys to oversee the handmade production process. We now employ autistic and disabled people in the factory and in back- office support functions. They participate in chocolate making under the watchful eyes of our chocolatier, in academy training and in several workshops at our new and bigger site in Knaresborough. In August 2024 we opened our first chocolate shop and café in Easingwold, and it is doing remarkably well. We sell our excellent chocolate to farm shops, retailers and delicatessens, hotels and restaurants, unique events, Beamish Museum, North Yorks Steam Railways, and many other corporate and private customers.
Next year, we have exciting plans to enter the supermarket sector and to introduce automation alongside our handmade chocolate production. We are incredibly proud of our enterprises and the people who work within them. By continuing to grow, we can support more autistic and disabled adults into meaningful employment.
In 2024 we won the Community Impact Award from Connect Yorkshire. This year we won the prestigious ERSA Employment Services Award in November. We are also finalists in the Doncaster Chamber Awards this year.
If you wish to purchase our handmade chocolates, then you can do so online at www.parkhousebarns.co.uk
If you wish to donate to support our work further, you can do so at https://autismplus.co.uk/donate
Wishing all our readers, workers, supporters, and customers a Happy Christmas and New Year!
Philip Bartey
Group Chief Executive
Autism Plus
