Our Team
Our Team
Donna, CEO
Donna helped set up Autus, and so has been around since January 2013. Her role includes Management, Fundraising, Quality Assurance and Programme Design. She also gets to work directly with our service users because she is a qualified trainer and NVQ Assessor.
Gina, Learning and Development Manager
Gina manages the delivery of Autus' training and skills development programmes and leads the team of mentors and volunteers. She has more than 25 years of experience in personal development, coaching, and training design and facilitation so the role fits in well with her knowledge and background.
Dawn, Learning and Development Manager
Since moving to the UK in 2013, Dawn has worked with Hao2 then AUTUS as a Learning and Development Manager and has facilitated projects, developed materials for training, delivered training programs and contributed to the organisation’s innovative development using immersive platforms.
Jo, Employer Engagement Manager
Jo works for Autus on a part-time basis. She is an experienced Learning and Development Consultant specialising in identifying learning needs and sourcing appropriate learning initiatives.
Jo’s work with Autus involves learner progression and employer engagement. She connects service users with employers to create opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships, volunteer work or paid employment.
Favourite part of the job:
“To make a successful partnership between service users and employers which can work out to be mutually beneficial.”
Hobbies:
“Reading, dancing, music, baking and having fun with family and friends.”
Darshan, Mentor
Darshan uses his 3D modelling skills to support training sessions and teach others to use the virtual world for learning and development. He helps people with job-seeking and works with other mentors to run the Job Club. He also helped to create the learning environments that we use for roleplay and simulation, and supports users with tasks such as developing their interview and budgeting skills. His aim is to support learners in setting and achieving their career goals.
James B., Volunteer Projects Officer
James first got involved with Autus after being directed to their 'videogame design course' by the job centre back in 2014. It turned out there had been a misunderstanding of just what 'virtual teaching environment' meant, but having enjoyed the employability course nonetheless he went on to do work experience with the IT team at Hao2.eu Ltd before becoming a volunteer for Autus. Since then he has mentored, done website maintenance and any other task might come up.
James W., Mentor
Before working for Autus James was a Young Ambassador, florist and barrister assistant for Tomorrow’s People Trust. As a young person he discovered a passion for helping others in the virtual and physical worlds. He met the Hao2 team at a Digital Inclusion event and shortly after undertook one of their virtual world programmes called 3D Connections for Work. He accomplished a lot on this course, and ended up securing part-time employment teaching and supporting users. As an Autus mentor he has helped run projects where people develop skills for employment using our 3D virtual world. He currently leads the weekly Job Club.
Nathen Batten, Autus Ambassador
As our ambassador, Nathen represents Autus at meetings and events. He gives talks to organisations and employers about autism, what Autus does, and the benefits of using our virtual environment. He attended college for two terms and applied for some jobs, but nothing came in before his work with Hao2 and Autus, the Hao2eu Foundation. He has done some courses and work experience, and worked his way up to his present role.