HIVE Directory: Employment

ACRE was founded in 2014 with support from the Department of Health: Autism Innovation Fund. The centre is the result of a collaboration between the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth and Southampton City Council, Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council and Isle of Wight Council.

Since then, ACRE has conducted research and developed evidence-based resources to improve employment opportunities for autistic people.

Minstead Trust runs the Lily&Lime café in Portsmouth Central Library as a training enterprise for people with learning disabilities.

The Trust began operating the café under the Lily&Lime name in September 2021. Lily & Lime also provides event catering. Dozens of people with learning disabilities work in the café to learn skills that help them work towards paid employment.

Based on the third floor of Portsmouth Central Library, the café provides tasty and affordable food and drink, produced either in-house within our training kitchen or by local businesses.

Our mission at The Right to Work CIC is focused on making a difference in the lives of those with learning disabilities. Working with local businesses, we provide meaningful opportunities for our ‘Supported Volunteers’ to contribute their talents, enthusiasm and willingness to learn new skills whilst at work – in doing so individuals are making a valuable contribution within the community.

The Into Work service aims to help people with a learning disability to build their confidence and independence to overcome any hurdles people face in getting a job. 

We also have a Autism and Neurodivergent (AND) Employment Worker who is supporting people 18+, PO1-PO6 postcode.

We can support people with CV’s, interview practice, at an interview and on the Job Support when the individual starts a role.