Share has partnered with another charity, The CiaO Foundation, to establish a new programme to support adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs develop the skills they need to get into work and live more independently. 

Share currently works with 191 students each week across its four sites in Wandsworth and Lambeth. Amongst the courses it provides, which develop employability and independent living skills, are catering, horticulture, digital skills, Steps into Employment, Maths and English.  

Currently, just over half of Share’s students take a course that is related to developing the skills and confidence they will need for work, yet there are many societal barriers which impede disabled and autistic adults obtaining and enjoying fulfilling work. 

In London, only 5.3% of adults with a learning disability are in paid employment (NHS Digital, Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework, 2022) compared to around 80% of the population without a learning disability. And only 30% of autistic adults work (National Autistic Society). 

Share and CiaO have recently partnered to offer scholarships to three Share students, enabling them access to an extra day of training for one day a week, for up to three years. CiaO and its partners, Act 111, Almacantar and London Metric are funding the scholarships over the three year period and will also aim to deepen the partnership through providing volunteering, work experience opportunities, and mentoring. 

Abi Carter, CEO of Share Community, said, 'We know that there a lot of stars that need to align to support students into sustainable and enjoyable employment. On top of the practical and technical skills a student needs for a job, they’re likely to need to have the confidence to travel independently and be safe in the community, as well as the emotional tools and resilience to deal with the inevitable challenges that arise in a new environment.'

'Realistically this requires a combination of different programmes and training opportunities, but many of our students only receive funding to attend one or two days a week which means progress towards their goals is not going to happen as quickly as they would like. We believe this additional commitment from CiaO and its generous partners will give three students a significant boost in their efforts to get into work.'

Having received 10 initial applications, three students were selected who are going to use their scholarships to develop their catering or digital skills. Anna-Marie, who is now receiving an extra day of digital skills training thanks to the scholarship said, 'My goal is to work in an office and I feel very happy learning office skills at Share. Thank you for helping me to learn more.' 

Andrew Hogge, Chair of the CiaO Foundation, said, 'We are so pleased to have formed this joint initiative with Share which would not have been possible without the generous support of Almacantar, London Metric and Act 111 LLP who are funding the scholarships over the three year period. We look forward to working together with Share, the sponsors and the students to help them achieve their goals to secure employment and to hopefully live more independently, as well as enjoying the new experiences offered by an expanded professional network.'

Lottie Geaves at Almacantar, one of the donors of the scheme said, 'Almacantar is delighted to support the sponsorship programme created between The CiaO Foundation and Share Community. It is fantastic to hear how well the three students, who are benefitting from the extra time at Share, are doing. We can really see how taking the courses on catering and digital skills are boosting the students’ confidence and providing practical tools which will help grow their independence and ultimately develop the skills they need to get into work in the future.' 

If you would like to find out more about supporting the scholarship scheme, please email scholarships@sharecommunity.org.uk or info@ciaofoundation.com 

We’ve been working with Youyang Song as part of Wandsworth Council’s Culturally Mindful programme, using creative practice to improve health and wellbeing.

Youyang is a theatre-maker and clown who encourages joyful, inclusive connection through movement and play. Her sessions are physical and interactive, helping participants express themselves in new ways that don't always involve words.

Activities include playful name games, 'WAH' exercises, follow-the-leader, and improvisation. Each session ends with some reflection time, allowing students to draw or create marks about how they feel, helping the facilitators understand students’ experiences and plan future sessions.

Our plan is that the series builds toward a final fashion show, where students will showcase the characters, props, and costumes they’ve explored. Youyang’s goal is simple: have fun, explore, and embrace silliness. She wants everyone to trust themselves, move their bodies, and enjoy non-verbal expression.

As our art tutor Mowbray explains, 'We’re told as adults that it’s not right to play or have fun anymore. But you are allowed to play and enjoy yourself!' 

Even students with mobility challenges, like Joyce, have been fully joining in: Joyce said the session, 'made me feel good, very good and better, it was fun.'

Community Café students Paula and Zain recently enjoyed an exciting four-day work experience placement with Jimmy Garcia Catering, a partnership that began last year after Jimmy Garcia approached us about working together to support our students to gain real industry experience.

During the placement, Paula and Zain had the opportunity to work with head chef Heidi to make scones and leek and potato soup. They also baked cupcakes, brownies and cookies with pastry chef Chris. And on the final day, Zain assisted chef Ryan with general food preparation

This experience provided a valuable opportunity to develop practical catering skills, build confidence, and understand the pace and standards of a professional kitchen environment.

Zain reflected, 'I really enjoyed it. The food was great and the staff were nice. I liked doing different things and would love to come back one day.'

We're grateful to the Jimmy Garcia team for helping our students to develop essential skills for the catering industry. We're always keen to work with new organisations to provide work experience opportunities for our students; interested companies should get in touch via info@sharecommunity.org.uk, or 020 7924 2949. 

We’re delighted to announce that Nirmalan Kugathasan has been formally appointed by Share’s trustees as Interim Chief Executive for six months from Friday 3rd April. He succeeds our current Chief Executive, Abi Carter, who will be leaving at the beginning of April to become Chief Executive of St Luke’s Community Centre in Islington.  

Nirmalan is currently Share’s Chief Finance and Operating Officer and has overseen Share’s finances since 2007. After establishing a stable operating base by 2013, he has since overseen strong financial growth, with turnover increasing from £668K in 2013 to £2.3 million this year. 

Nirmalan said, ‘It is a real privilege to step into the role of Interim Chief Executive at Share, an organisation that has been such an important part of my professional life for many years. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, particularly our financial growth, service innovation and resilience through challenging times.  

‘Over the next six months, my focus will be on providing stability, supporting our staff team and ensuring we continue to deliver high quality, life changing opportunities for our students. Share’s values of inclusion, empowerment and support are at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to working closely with trustees, staff, partners and supporters to build on our strong foundations and prepare the organisation for its next chapter’.  

Abi said, ‘Nirmalan has been a brilliant CFO for Share, and the trustees are confident he brings the skills and values to lead Share going forward. He and I have worked together closely for the past four years and I know how much he cares for Share, its students and staff. I wish him the very best and am sure he will thrive in what is a hugely enjoyable role’.

In late 2025, Share hosted a seminar for members of the Wandsworth Health and Wellbeing Board, focusing on the health inequalities experienced by adults with a learning disability and autistic adults.

Wandsworth councillors, officers, and representatives from the South West London Integrated Care System heard directly from nine Share students and one member of fellow charity Generate. They spoke candidly about their experiences of healthcare, social isolation, and their perspectives on physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Guests enjoyed healthy cakes prepared by Share students at our Vauxhall café, along with fresh tomatoes grown in the Share garden during a tour of our site in Tooting.

Share’s Chief Executive, Abi Carter, who sits on the Health and Wellbeing Board representing Wandsworth’s 800 charities, welcomed the opportunity for board members to meet the people behind the policies, 'It’s good to see board members get out and hear directly from the people we spend so much time talking and writing about in meetings. Disabled and autistic people suffer disproportionately from poor health outcomes due to a range of factors. They are often not properly listened to; medical professionals may not be sufficiently trained to communicate with them and accommodate their needs; and statutory services too often work in silos rather than taking a holistic approach. It feels like there is genuine appetite in Wandsworth to make some changes to improve our students’ experiences. 

'Already, one of the GPs on the board has reached out about how we might support trainees at St George’s, which is a really positive first step.'

The Board will review recommendations at its next meeting, and students will be kept updated on how their feedback is shaping future improvements.